Former Brazil and Real Madrid star Roberto Carlos returned to the football pitch after three years away but failed to inspire Delhi Dynamos as his team lost 2-0 to FC Goa on Sunday in both the teams’ maiden Indian Super League fixture of the season.
Carlos, at 42, is the oldest player in the franchise-based league and is doubling up as manager as well. He came onto the pitch immediately after halftime, in place of defender Anwar Ali, with Delhi already having conceded both goals.
An own goal from Souvik Chakraborty (3rd minute) opened the scoring for the hosts before Reinaldo Da Cruz Oliveira (45’+2’) added a second at the stroke of half-time.
Carlos’ entry added weight to the Dynamos’ defense and their forward line in turn asserted pressure. However, the collective might of Florent Malouda and John Arne Riise could not meet with much success with rival keeper making a couple of good saves.
Malouda was once unlucky when his kick hit the post.
Carlos, who showed a glimpse of his past with a firm shot toward goal during injury time, briefly held a similar player-manager role at the Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala in 2012.
His managerial experience includes stints with Turkish sides Sivasspor and Akhisar Belediyespor. Carlos is the second-highest capped Brazilian player and scored 11 goals in 125 appearances. The marauding defender was a member of the World Cup squads which reached the final in 1998 and won in 2002. He also helped Brazil win the Copa America in 1997 and 1999 and won the Champions League three times with Real Madrid.