Roberto Carlos predicted in 2006, Messi would become the best player in the world

Who can forget the legendary 40-yard free-kick goal Roberto Carlos scored against France in 1997? Well, in this article we aren’t going to talk about that heroic, instead we will throw light on what the retired Brazilian star said in a recent interaction with outlet 90min about the greatest of the game, Lionel Messi.

Brazil and Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos recently revealed that when a young Lionel Messi dribbled past him and Fabio Canavoro in a high-voltage El Clasico, the full-back predicted that Messi was the “new Maradona”. 

In the interaction, Carlos further expressed that he felt he was lucky to have not much time before retirement, otherwise he would have to face Messi more! Carlos went further stating that he had already predicted that Lionel Messi would become the best player in the world, and win everything. 

And guess what? Carlos got his predictions correct that early! The Argentine legend has clinched every major trophy, including the coveted FIFA World Cup. And now, the GOAT Lionel Messi sits comfortably on the list of all great players, with eight Ballon d’Ors.

Interestingly, the match Carlos was talking about happened at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu in 2006, where visitors FC Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2-0. Roberto Carlos left the Spanish capital the next year. The Brazilian’s prediction took no time to escalate, with Messi breaking the 30-goal barrier for the first time in 2008-2009.

The FC Barcelona legend left his dear club in 2021, after a glorious 17 seasons, with a record 778 appearances, scoring 672 goals at an unbelievable average of 0.86 per game. He won every title with the Catalan club and his national team. He is at present enjoying his stint at Inter Miami CF. 

Presently aged 51, left-back Roberto Carlos also has multiple trophies to boast, just like the player he praised. After leaving Real Madrid, he joined Fenerbahce. He played his final professional spell in 2016, for Indian club Delhi Dynamos.