5. Roberto Carlos
Only a few players leave their mark on a specific position on the football field as Roberto Carlos did with the left-back position. He revitalized it for the good and was one of the very first ones to join attack and defense together. Roberto Carlos made huge strides in his career for club and country. Not to forget, he was one of the most masterful users of the left-foot that Madridistas were treated to inside the Bernabeu. It is no surprise that he recently appeared in our list of top 10 left-backs of all time.
A figure idolized by many modern-day full-backs, Carlos was blessed with tremendous pace and a fierce left-foot strike. Only a few could hit the ball as cleanly as Carlos did. Videos of his long-range free-kicks are flooding the internet today. He was designated as Brazil’s left-footed free-kick specialist after a wonder goal he scored against France in 1997. That special goal is up there in the archives as one of his finest.
He did have a few such strikes in the white shirt too, as he replicated his success with his country for his clubs. For Brazil, Carlos earned 125 caps, played in three world cups, and helped them win the World Cup in 2002. Not to forget, has two Copa Americas under his belt. In 2002 he was the runner-up to teammate Ronaldo Nazario for the Ballon d’Or.
For his tremendous run in club football, Carlos had to spend his formative years in Brazil before being launched into the big stage by Inter Milan. It was only after his transfer to Real Madrid that he truly hit his top gears. He made 524 appearances for Los Blancos while scoring 69 goals, winning four LaLiga titles, and three Champions League titles. Undoubtedly, one of the best left-footed Real Madrid players and a club legend!