Former Brazil World Cup star Roberto Carlos has revealed that he lost all of what he earned when he played football.
Roberto Carlos told Globo: “I have had serious problems; certain people emptied my bank account.”
According to the Brazilian, he claimed to have lost 99 percent of the money he had earned during his career. The amount is estimated at around 160 million euros.
The former left-back admitted to trusting the people around him too much.
“One day I went to sleep and the next morning I was shown a stack of documents I didn’t even know existed. At that moment, I realized that I had lost my entire life’s work.”
He cited problems with his former agent and family as major causes of the financial difficulties.
Roberto Carlos is now using his story primarily as a warning to young footballers.
“I made mistakes, and that is why I ask the youngsters not to do the same.”
The Brazilian said he has always been focused on his life after football.
“It is about building a history as a player and leveraging your image.”
For instance, he obtained his sporting director’s degree during his active career and worked with various brands.
The 51-year-old Roberto Carlos grew into one of the most successful defenders of his generation.
With Real Madrid, he won the Champions League three times, among other achievements, and in 2002 he became world champion with Brazil. After his career, he faced financial problems that, according to him, cost him a large part of his accumulated wealth.
