ROBERTO CARLOS RATING

The best left footed left back in history and arguably the best 'attacking' full-back of all time - yes even ahead of Facchetti if we take into account crossing ability, contribution in possession in addition to their relatively equally matched goal threat. Now whilst Facchetti was the better defender, Carlos upon closer analysis was also a excellent defender - incredibly tenacious, always tracking back and rarely caught out of position (unlike Cafu who would on occasion be stranded in no mans land) ... and a great eye for a sliding tackle. His only vulnerability came against truly elite wide-men who could come in off the flank i.e. Messi or Figo. He was nigh on unbeatable when trying to take him down the line because of his pace and low centre of gravity, but once a winger cut in, Carlos was slightly susceptible to losing his balance and was uncomfortable following his man in towards the central areas of the pitch. It must be said though that in his prime, Figo would out of 10 one v one situations maybe only have the beating of Carlos in two or three situations such was the quality of Carlos' defending but obviously when compared to a Maldini or a Lizarazu, it just wasn't as impenetrable.

Carlos' left foot is oft talked about in hallowed terms and whilst he was admittedly very inconsistent when taking set pieces, in open play he caused enough damage and scored enough goals in big games for it to considered an effective destructive cannon on the big stage. He was a good short passer, incredibly composed down the left flank and very difficult to win the ball off even in tight situations due to his close control and ability to pick team mates in space. His crossing was good - not as beautifully whipped on a consistent basis like a Cafu - but it was relatively efficient, with his cut-backs in particular catching the eye. He loved making overlapping runs, faking to shoot and picking late runs into the box. Such was the quantity of his overlapping runs, in addition to the ball-carrying quality he possessed - Carlos' influence on his teams attacking play was unprecedented. The term 'one man' flank, is used too often to describe wing-backs, but if there is ever one defender who has deserved that epitaph it was Roberto Carlos - he was as all-action as it comes, making thunderous tackles one second, before drilling a cross across the 6 yard box in another.

In summary Roberto Carlos was not only a solid defender contrary to myth - who only struggled against some of the very best dribblers of all time - he was simply the most irresistible complete attacking force the game has ever seen. His presence and influence was felt in pretty much every game that Real and Brazil played. He deserves to be remembered as a superior full-back to his compatriot Cafu and is not the gung-ho ill disciplined crazy free-kick wonder he is often remembered as by younger generations. He was perfectly reliable as a left back in a 4 man backline, but against a GOAT-level winger, he would be best deployed as a left wing-back.