Roberto Carlos retired from international football because he felt that playing for the Brazilian national team was no longer contributing anything significant to his career. His decision came shortly after the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Key Reasons for International Retirement
The legendary left-back, who was a cornerstone for both Real Madrid and the Brazil national team for years, decided to step away from the international stage due to a personal assessment of his career trajectory.
- Career Contribution: Roberto Carlos explicitly stated that his continued involvement with the Brazilian national team was no longer providing the career benefits or progression he sought. This suggests a desire to focus on other aspects of his professional life or to manage his physical demands after years at the highest level.
- Post-World Cup Decision: His retirement from international duty occurred immediately following Brazil's exit from the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Brazil, one of the tournament favorites, was eliminated by France in the quarter-finals, a result that might have influenced his decision, although his stated reason focused on personal career contribution rather than the team's performance.
Timeline of International Retirement
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Player | Roberto Carlos |
| Team Retired From | Brazilian National Team |
| Primary Reason | Believed playing for Brazil no longer contributed to his career |
| Timing of Retirement | Immediately after the 2006 FIFA World Cup |
| Final Tournament | 2006 FIFA World Cup (Brazil eliminated by France in quarter-finals) |
| Impact | Marked the end of a prolific international career with 125 caps and 11 goals |
His decision allowed him to focus exclusively on his club career at Real Madrid at the time, where he continued to play until 2007 before moving to other clubs. His international career was illustrious, including a FIFA World Cup title in 2002 and numerous other accolades.
For more details on Roberto Carlos's career and his retirement, you can refer to reputable sports news archives like BBC Sport.
