Roberto Carlos is widely regarded as one of the greatest full-backs in football history – which makes it crazy to think he actually might have signed for Everton early in his career.
When people think about the best full-backs to have played the game, most people would offer Carlos’ name in a discussion.
Certainly, he was one of the very best attack-minded full-backs the game has ever seen, and the Brazilian was famous for his incredible shot power and free-kick ability.
Carlos’ best years were at Real Madrid, whom he joined in 1995.
He would enjoy a trophy-laden spell at the Bernabeu, playing in the Galacticos side that featured some of the best players in the world at the time such as Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Raul.
Carlos won four La Liga titles in 11 seasons with Real, and also won the Champions League three times.
It was such a successful stint, but some may not know that Carlos was actually the subject of interest from Everton at the beginning of his career.
Roberto Carlos alerted Everton after he scored at Goodison Park for Brazil against Japan
Back in 1995, Brazil played against Japan in a game in the Umbro Cup, which was held at Goodison Park.
Brazil ran out comfortable 3-0 winners that day, and it was Carlos who put Brazil ahead in the match.
Carlos took advantage of some very poor Japan defending, making his way into the box before lashing an effort into the bottom far corner in true Carlos style.
Midfielder Zinho then added two more goals for Brazil in the second-half.
After the game, Everton then showed genuine interest in the player, with Carlos speaking about it in an interview with Block Asset.
He also mentioned that he had interest from a few other clubs, admitting Chelsea was the biggest proposal he had from English clubs in his career.
He said: “2007, I received a proposal from Chelsea. I talked in that time to Abramovich, but we had some problems with the contract and I didn’t sign, that’s why I went to play at Fenerbahce.
“But in England Chelsea, Everton, Birmingham and Aston Villa. There were four teams interested but Aston Villa was in the beginning of my career, Everton after a game of Brazil vs Japan in Goodison Park where I scored a goal.”
Everton well and truly missed out
Had Carlos actually signed for Everton then realistically he would not have had the career he had, or left the legacy he has.
But what a player he was, with Carlos having also won a string of individual awards during his career.
He was UEFA Club Defender of the Year twice and also won the Bola de Prata (Silver Ball), which is given to the best players in their respective position, three times.
He also made the ESM (European Sports Media) Team of the Season no less than seven times.
In 1997, Carlos received the silver medal in the FIFA World Player of the Year, missing out on gold to his Brazil teammate Ronaldo.
Then in 2002, he came second once again to Ronaldo.
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