"99 per cent of my income was gone": Real legend loses almost 160 million euros

Speaking at the Portugal Football Summit in Lisbon, the 53-year-old opened up about his problems off the pitch and revealed he had lost almost all of his wealth.

Despite lucrative spells at Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Fenerbahce Istanbul among others, Carlos admitted he had done business with the wrong people, who then enriched themselves from his possessions.

"I had problems with people who emptied my bank account. I lost 99 per cent of everything I earned from football," said the former full-back. "I had a very serious family problem. On Thursday I went to bed at midnight, and on Friday I received a stack of documents I knew nothing about. That was when I realised I had lost my entire past."

On that, he said he had "made mistakes" that he now bitterly regrets. He also urged young players still active not to rely solely on a career as a footballer. "I always thought about plans for the future after my playing career."

The Brazilian added: "It is about building a story for yourself as a player and using your image. When I decided to leave football, I already had my sporting director's licence and was working with many brands." He still benefits enormously from that today, even if large parts of his former wealth have gone.

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How much money did Roberto Carlos earn during his career?

By most estimates, Carlos, who is regarded as one of the best left-backs in history, earned around €160 million during his playing career. According to Brazilian broadcaster Globo, the 53-year-old is said to have had problems in the past mainly with player advisers.

For the Seleção, Carlos won the World Cup in 2002, while with Real Madrid he also won the Champions League three times and the Spanish title four times. Today he works as a youth coach and brand ambassador for Real.

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