Roberto Carlos has opened up about a painful chapter from his life after football, revealing that he lost almost his entire fortune due to problems with his former agent and family issues.
Speaking at the Football Summit in Portugal, the 53-year-old said nearly all of the money he made during his playing days, estimated at more than $183 million (€160 million), was wiped out.
"I had problems with people who left me with zero money. Because of agents and family issues, I lost 99% of everything I had earned in football," he said.
Carlos also referenced a deeper personal struggle behind the financial collapse. "I had a very serious family problem," he added, before recalling the exact moment he understood the scale of what had happened: "On Thursday, I went to bed at midnight and on Friday, I received a pile of documents I knew nothing about. That's when I realized I had lost my entire history."
He did not name the agent involved or explain exactly where the money went.
A Warning for the Next Generation
Carlos used the platform to urge younger players not to repeat his mistakes. "I made mistakes, and therefore, I ask younger players not to do the same," he said. "I always thought about future plans after my playing career. It's about building a history as a player and leveraging your image. When I decided to leave football, I already had my sporting director's license and was working with many brands."
One of the most decorated fullbacks of his generation, Carlos won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002, along with three Champions League titles and four La Liga crowns during his 24-year career at Real Madrid.
Since retiring in the 2010s, he has built a varied career away from the pitch, working with several media brands before settling into his current role as a Real Madrid ambassador.
