World Cup winner Roberto Carlos makes SUNDAY LEAGUE appearance in Shrewsbury at the age of 48... as legendary ex-Real Madrid and Brazil left-back scores penalty in substitute appearance in 4-3 friendly defeat
World Cup-winning former Brazil defender Roberto Carlos scored a penalty as he got his first a taste of English Sunday league football on Friday.
Shrewsbury side Bull in the Barne United, named after a local pub, had the 48-year-old ex-Real Madrid full-back make an appearance for them as a first-half substitute after he won a charity 'Dream Transfer' raffle on eBay in January.
Carlos was named on the bench as Bull in the Barne faced fellow Greenhous Shrewsbury and District Sunday League Division 1 team Harlescott Rangers at the Hanwood Village Hall Recreation Centre.
He was named on the bench but then came on in the first half as a central midfielder
But he then made his Sunday league debut coming on in central midfield in the first half, with his side trailing 2-0.
Carlos returned to the bench at the start of the second half but was invited to take a late penalty won by Barne, which he duly rolled home before heading back to the dugout.
The spot kick however was not enough to prevent Barne from suffering a 4-3 defeat in the friendly.
Carlos' professional playing career, which included over 100 caps and winning the 2002 World Cup with Brazil and 11 seasons and three Champions League triumphs with Real Madrid, most recently saw him have a spell in India with Delhi Dynamos in 2015.
He returned to the bench at the start of the second half but was invited to take a late penalty
He duly rolled the penalty home but could not prevent his side from losing the friendly 4-3
When it was announced in January that he would be turning out for Bull in the Barne for one game, Carlos said in a statement: 'I'm excited to play for Bull in the Barne in Shrewsbury, paying homage to when I nearly signed for Birmingham City in the 90s, which is very close by.
'I've heard that the team's been down a number of players this season, so here's hoping my training is enough to help them up their game and bring what Bull in the Barne's fans want to see!'
Bull in the Barne manager and goalkeeper Ed Speller said: 'Roberto Carlos is one of those legends who's inspired so many young players' love of the game.
'My jaw absolutely dropped when we found out Bull in the Barne won the Dream Transfer and he'll be playing alongside the team in Shrewsbury.
Carlos' professional career included over 100 Brazil caps and winning the 2002 World Cup
'It should be a right laugh for him to come see what we're made of, with some tense free-kicks and hopefully no dodgy tackles!'
The raffle also saw East Sussex team Pevensey and Westham land the services of former England, Chelsea and Juventus forward Eni Aluko for one fixture.
That game took place last month as Aluko came off the bench in Pevensey and Westham's friendly loss to Ringmer AFC.
Money raised from the raffle, open to anyone associated with a Sunday league team and costing £5 to enter, has gone to Football Beyond Borders, a charity that helps disadvantaged young people in the community.
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