MY ACCOUNT
Legendary Brazilian full-back Roberto Carlos will make a sensational playing return next month — for Shropshire pub team Bull In The Barne FC.
The 2002 World Cup winner, now 48, will make a one-off substitute appearance for the Shrewsbury & District Sunday League outfit, thanks to a competition ran via auction website eBay.
Bull In The Barne manager Ed Speller bought his team a £5 entry into the “dream transfer raffle” — with the winners getting the chance to play a game with a football legend in their ranks.
And the Shropshire amateurs could hardly believe their luck when organisers informed them that iconic ex-Real Madrid star Carlos would be making his way to Hanwood Village Hall in February.
Carlos, best remembered for his iconic free-kicks, said: “I’m excited to play for Bull In The Barne in Shrewsbury, paying homage to when I nearly signed for Birmingham City in the 90s, which is very close by.
“I’ve heard that the team’s been down a number of players this season, so here’s hoping my training is enough to help them up their game and bring what Bull In The Barne’s fans want to see!”
Club secretary Matthew Brown admitted he had his doubts when first hearing the good news.
Brown said: “I went out on Friday night and woke up with a bit of a sore head on Saturday and I had messages from people saying ‘is it true about Roberto Carlos?’
“At that point I was thinking ‘it can’t have happened, it’s just a dream’.
“Our changing room is proper Sunday league, pretty basic. A couple of the showers don’t work. He could get a shock.”
Having won three Champions Leagues and four LaLiga titles in a glittering club career, it is certainly going to be a little different to the good old days for Carlos.
