Roberto Carlos has defended the Real Madrid shirt for eleven years. For over a decade, the Brazilian, who has been an unquestionable starter for the all the managers who have coached the team, has broken records and achieved some important milestones. The last was reached last night against Real Sociedad, as Roberto Carlos played his 350 League match in White. Congratulations Roberto.
When Fabio Capello began his first stint as the coach of Real Madrid in 1996, he asked to sign who he considered to be one of the best left backs in the world. With the passing of time, and especially matches and triumphs, Roberto Carlos was dubbed the King of the left wing, while the football world yielded to his unstoppable fee kicks and his innate power. He became an unquestionable fixture during the very first match of the League that Real Madrid would go on to win. On 31 August 1996, the Whites faced Deportivo Coruña at the Riazor Stadium. The match ended 1-1, and guess who scored the Madridista's goal to draw the game? Well, it was Roberto Carlos. The Brazilian could not have imagined a better La Liga debut. He played in 37 games and scored five times that season. Thus, the unstoppable career in Spain of who is today considered one of the world's best left backs in the world was underway.
Ten years later, the same figures are again under the same roof. Fabio Capello, who returned to the Madridista bench this year, witnessed the fast 33 year old footballer play his 350 League match against Real Sociedad. Roberto Carlos has been donning the White shirt for 11 seasons, including this one. In over a decade, the Brazilian has tallied 350 matches, 30,821 minutes, and 43 goals in the First Division. His goal total, the majority of which is due to his famous free kicks that so often scare the rival defence and goalkeeper, is more than outstanding for a defender.
Roberto Carlos has played against all the teams that have played in the First Division over the last ten years. Deportivo Coruña, who he made his Spanish League debut against, have faced Roberto's wrath 20 times, more than any other side. The next rival on the list is Real Sociedad, who he has come across 19 times. The Brazilian defender has played against Athletic Bilbao, Mallorca, Betis, and Valencia on 18 occasions each. In terms of goals, Roberto Carlos seems to have found his goal-scoring touch against Zaragoza, Celta, Mallorca, and Betis. He has scored four goals against each of these teams.
SEASON | MATCHES | MINUTES | GOALS |
1996-97 | 37 | 3,330 | 5 |
1997-98 | 35 | 3,131 | 4 |
1998-99 | 35 | 3,065 | 5 |
1999-00 | 35 | 3,062 | 4 |
2000-01 | 36 | 3,063 | 5 |
2001-02 | 31 | 2,729 | 2 |
2002-03 | 37 | 3,311 | 5 |
2003-04 | 32 | 2,842 | 5 |
2004-05 | 34 | 3,001 | 3 |
2005-06 | 35 | 3,062 | 5 |
2006-07 | 3 | 270 | - |
TOTAL | 350 | 30,821 | 43 |
