REUTERS/David Klein
Former Brazilian left-back Roberto Carlos, widely regarded as one of the greatest to ever play in the position, enjoyed a two-decade playing career at the highest level.
He represented major clubs including Inter Milan and, most notably, Real Madrid, where he spent more than 10 years. Carlos also earned over 100 caps for Brazil, becoming a central figure in one of football's most successful eras.
This week, however, he revealed in interviews with Globo that he has lost almost all of the substantial fortune he accumulated during his playing career.
He explained that financial difficulties stemming from issues with agents and members of his own family had severely impacted his wealth.
Carlos discussed these struggles during his appearance at the Portugal Football Summit earlier this week.
Carlos Comments on Financial Struggles
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Speaking at the Football Summit in Portugal, Carlos said: "I had problems with people who left me with zero money. Because of agents and family issues, I lost 99 per cent of everything I had earned in football.
Carlos reportedly divorced his wife of 15 years in 2025, a move which resulted in reports suggesting that he had been sleeping at Real Madrid's training ground, where he now works as an ambassador.
However, he denied these claims via X, commenting: "I've seen baseless rumours about my living situation. I remain at a private residence with my family's support. My legal team is addressing these claims, and I request privacy during this time."
Carlos Post-Retirement Career, Finances and Personal Life
Roberto Carlos
Since retiring in the 2010s, Roberto Carlos has pieced together a varied career, working with multiple media brands before settling into a more permanent role as an ambassador for Real Madrid.
In his post-playing career, he has faced complications, as Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo claimed his divorce settlement was going to be difficult, with Carlos' earnings valued at around £133 million, a figure that could have dropped much more since he signed the papers.
His personal life has been high-profile, marrying three times and being the father of 11 children with seven different women. However, he has always framed his post-career choices as deliberate rather than chaotic.
"I always thought about my post-career. It means building a legacy as a player and using your image.
When I decided to stop playing football, I already had a sports director's license and was working with many brands."
Despite the mention of his Sporting Director license, Carlos never did go down the route of moving into a boardroom role. Instead, he tested himself in coaching and management across four different clubs, a chapter that ended in 2015.
Since then, he has embraced a more stable position back at his former club, serving as a Real Madrid ambassador, a role that keeps him firmly connected to the club that helped shape his career.