Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Brazilian Roberto Carlos has quit international soccer following Brazil8217;s 1-0 quarterfinal defeat to France in which he was widely blamed for failing to mark goal scorer Thierry Henry. 8220;On the Brazilian national team, my story has ended,8221; he said on his official website.
8220;I want to open space for new blood. I hope I can give this number six jersey to someone who might carry on this victorious history. 8220;I thank my team mates and the supporters who were always on my side. A big hug to everyone.8221;
Roberto Carlos, famous for his booming left-foots shot, played at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cups and won 125 caps for Brazil in full internationals. However, he has had a chequered history with the national side.
He was much criticised for his performances in 1998, when Brazil finished as runners-up to France, and also criticised after being quoted as saying he could not understand how anyone could live on less than several thousand dollars a month.
In 2002, he bounced back, playing an important part in the team which won Brazil8217;s fifth world title. But this year, he was under fire again and many critics said it was he who should have been marking Henry, who scored France8217;s winner on Saturday.
Carlos, whose club future with Real Madrid is also in doubt, started as a player with provincial club Uniao Sao Joao. He joined big city Palmeiras at the age of 18 and quickly made an impression, winning the Brazilian championships in 1993 and 1994. He left for Europe in 1996 to play for Inter Milan, moving to Real Madrid after one season where he won three Champions League titles.
