Roberto Carlos, the former Real Madrid defender, has disclosed that he lost 99% of his earnings during his football career, which are estimated at around £137 million. Speaking at the Portugal Football Summit in Lisbon, the 53-year-old Brazilian urged young players to avoid the mistakes he made that led to his financial losses.
Read More
Carlos, regarded as one of football's greatest left-backs, earned about €160 million throughout his career, with notable tenures at clubs including Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Fenerbahce. Despite his successes, he revealed that issues with agents and family contributed to his financial downfall, stating that he had relationships with people who "emptied" his bank account.
"I had problems with people who emptied my bank account. I lost 99% of everything I earned from football," Carlos explained. He recounted a particularly difficult moment, saying, "I had a very serious family problem. On Thursday, I went to bed at midnight and on Friday, I received a pile of documents I knew nothing about. That’s when I realised I had lost my entire history."
He advised younger players to learn from his mistakes, emphasizing the importance of planning for life after football. "I always thought about future plans after my playing career," he said, noting he pursued his sporting director's license and engaged with various brands as part of his post-playing career.
Throughout his 24-year career, Carlos won three Champions League titles and four La Liga championships. However, he never captured the Ballon d'Or, despite being close after winning the World Cup in 2002. Former teammate Ronaldo Nazario believes Carlos deserved the accolade, along with other football greats like Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti.