Roberto Carlos was one of those footballers who posed a threat from any position. Whether the ball was stationary, as in the case of a free-kick, or the Brazilian was sprinting towards the opposition’s goal, he always kept the defence on their toes.
And yet, in the 46th minute of the Spanish top-flight match against Real Madrid during the 1997/98 season at the Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López, neither the players nor the spectators had the faintest idea that, in a matter of seconds, they were about to witness one of the most spectacular goals of all time.
Roberto Carlos runs with the ball to the opposition’s by-line. Everyone expects a cross from the wing into the penalty area. In fact, the left-footed player shoots towards the goal.
Roberto Carlos scores a dream goal on Tenerife
Suddenly, the ball is given so much spin that it curves towards the goal. Goalkeeper Marcelo Ojeda realises too late that Carlos has just unleashed a shot disguised as a cross. The Argentine stretches for the ball, but it hits the back of the net behind him just a fraction of a second later.
The stadium is in a frenzy following the stunning goal that levelled the score at 1-1. Even the home fans of CD Tenerife are paying tribute to the opposition. Roberto Carlos runs towards the corner flag to celebrate his stunning goal; moments later, he is engulfed by a crowd of celebrating teammates.
Video of the stunning goal: Roberto Carlos scores against Tenerife
For his manager, Jupp Heynckes, the equaliser was a real relief. The German had been in charge on Tenerife from 1995 to 1997. He then moved to Madrid to get things off the ground with the ‚Royals‘.
But the adventure was short-lived. Although Heynckes went on to win the Champions League title three months later against Juventus Turin (1-0), performances such as the one on Tenerife meant the team could only manage fourth place in La Liga, Spain’s top flight. The business side of things took over, and the manager was sacked.
Things are going better for Roberto Carlos: the 1.68-metre-tall player has been regarded as untouchable for years. He remained at Real until 2007, winning the Spanish league title four times, the Champions League and the Spanish Super Cup three times each, the Intercontinental Cup twice and the Super Cup once during that period. He also became World Champion during his time at Real, in the 2002 final against Germany.
Roberto Carlos: „The goal against Tenerife was the hardest“
When Roberto Carlos was later asked about his dream goals, he described the strike against Tenerife as the most difficult of his career. Nevertheless, he said another goal had been even more special for him: „I have to go for the free-kick against France – it was even more spectacular. Although the goal against Tenerife was more difficult,“ said the Brazilian, referring to his 35-metre wonder goal against the Equipe Tricolore in 1997.
The man with the absurdly muscular thighs has bad memories of that match against Tenerife anyway: Club Deportivo eventually won the game 4-3 thanks to a goal from Roy Makaay – who later moved to Bayern Munich via La Coruña – and a penalty from Meho Kodro just two minutes later. CD finished the season in 16th place. Just one year later, they were relegated to the second division, where Tenerife still play today, having previously dropped down to the third division.
Roberto Carlos, on the other hand, moved to Fenerbahçe Istanbul in 2007 on a two-year contract. After a spell with Corinthians SP in his home country, he moved to Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia and finally to Delhi Dynamos FC in India.
Following a hiatus, the Brazilian is finally bringing his playing career to an end at the age of 42. He has been working as an ambassador for his former club, Real Madrid, since early 2016. Roberto Carlos also has nine children and is already a grandfather.
No comments on this article yet.