Roberto Carlos and his booming free kicks seemed to be a distant memory as
far as Brazil were concerned but, on the eve of the World Cup, the former
Real Madrid player's name is being mentioned again.
Thirty-seven last Saturday, Roberto Carlos has enjoyed a new lease of life
since returning to Brazil to play for Corinthians where he has joined forces
with his former Real Madrid and Brazil team mate Ronaldo.
Last week, he scored against arch-rivals Sao Paulo with one of his trademark
free kicks, helping Corinthians win 4-3.
Roberto Carlos, capped 131 times, was made one of the scapegoats for
Brazil's relatively early exit in 2006 where they lost to France in the
quarter-finals and, like Ronaldo and Cafu, he has not been picked since then.
However, a dearth of obvious choices for the left-back position and his
return to form have seen the media speculating on a possible recall.
"I think that, of the 16 years I played for the national team, twelve of
them were successful," Roberto Carlos told Brazilian media last week. "And,
today it's difficult to find a left back.
"Most of the left-footed players prefer to play on the wing or the left side
of midfield."
Dunga, who played alongside Roberto Carlos in the 1998 World Cup team, is
not prone to tinkering but left-back is one position where he has chopped
and changed.
Since he took over following the 2006 World Cup, he has fielded Gilberto,
Marcelo, Adriano Correa, Juan Maldonado and Richarlyson without settling on
any of them.
Fenerbahce's Andre Santos had a run of eight games in a row last year,
appearing to have clinched the place, but the last three friendlies have
seen Olympique Lyon winger's Michel Bastos take on the role.
Michel Bastos, who like Roberto Carlos can hit the target from distance, is
known in French football as a winger, but he began his career in left back.
"If the Brazilian confederation's fax arrives at home, I will somersault
with happiness," said Roberto Carlos.
"I don't want to jump the queue. I'm 37 and when I came back to Brazil, I
wasn't thinking about the national team.
"But I'm not going to deny that the World Cup is not in my mind. I'm going
to keep working hard at Corinthians and put a doubt in Dunga's mind."
(Writing by Brian Homewood, editing by Justin Palmer) |
