Roberto Carlos says he could persuade Neymar to join Real Madrid
Former Real Madrid star Roberto Carlos has confirmed that he is in talks with the Madrid giants to join new manager Zinedine Zidane’s backroom staff. The Brazil legend also hinted that he might be able to convince compatriot and Barcelona forward Neymar to switch allegiance to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Carlos spent 11 successful years with Los Blancos. Known for his marauding attacking runs down the flanks and his out of the world freekicks, he won four La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies while making over 500 appearances for the club. Carlos wrapped up his latest coaching assignment in the recently concluded Indian Super league as he led the Delhi Dynamos franchise to the semifinals in his role as player-manager.
"I had a meeting with Real Madrid about my future with the club," he said
"Soon I will know how I can collaborate with Zidane's Madrid."
He said that he was confident about Zidane’s coaching abilities and called him a ‘leader’. He also hinted at the reason why Rafael Benitez was sacked as manager after only seven months in charge of Los Merengues.
"Zidane is a leader in the dressing room," he added. "His personality is going to make him very successful. A coach has to befriend his players and Benitez struggled to form a bond with them.”
Zidane began life as the manager of Real Madrid in emphatic fashion as they hammered Deportivo La Coruna 5-0 in a Liga encounter last weekend.
I can take Neymar to Real Madrid: Carlos
Carlos has dropped a major bombshell as he prepares to take up a coaching role under Zidane as he has stated that he could bring Neymar to the Bernabeu from arch rivals Barcelona.
The Brazil striker capped off an exceptional year with the Catalan side as he finished second runner-up behind winner Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the 2015 Ballon d’Or.
"I can take him to Real Madrid. He's very young. I am sure next year he will finish even higher in the Ballon d'Or," said Carlos.
The legendary defender also opined that Zidane has the ability to turn Wales star Gareth Bale into a Ballon d’Or candidate in the coming years. Bale struck a terrific hattrick in Zidane’s debut as Real manager in the win over Deportivo last Saturday.
"Zidane can do whatever he wants with him [Bale] and maybe even turn him into a candidate for the Ballon d'Or," he said.