Casinodaddy meets Roberto Carlos: the interview

On the 20th of October, we were blessed with the amazing opportunity to have Roberto Carlos on the stream, promoting his new game “Roberto Carlos Sporting Legends” by Playtech. Roberto was kind enough to answer some of our community’s questions. Below, you’ll find a transcript of the interview. If you’ve missed the live and want to watch the video, click here!

It’s a pleasure to have you here today. We have prepared some questions from our community, that we’d like to ask you.

It’s an honor to be able to be with you guys today!

So we are here to talk about your slot that is going to be released soon, created by Playtech. What got you into the collaboration with Playtech, and what parts of the development have you been involved in?

First off, I want to thank Playtech for inviting me to this project. I was very excited about the opportunity and I am happy with how it turned out. I had a photoshoot with producers from Playtech. It was clear that it was important for them that the game captures my personality. I had a great time doing it, and I hope you all enjoy the game!

What were the biggest challenges for you when making this slot?

There were no challenges, really. I just had to be myself, it was a lot of fun.

Do you have any future plans to create more gambling-related products?
Definitely. Especially because the industry is growing. For me, it’s very interesting and it’s always good to be evolving, and I think it would be good for my image as well.

At what age did you and your family realise that you had a special talent for football?

Around 13, when I used to play football with my father. We realised that I had a talent for it and if I trained hard enough I would be able to have a career in it.

How were your football training conditions growing up in Brazil? Was it easy for you to practice every day or did you and your family have to sacrifice a lot so that you could play?

Definitely, the conditions were not good. I had to work with what I had. My dad helped me a lot with finding somewhere I could practice. It wasn’t the same back then, we didn’t have the same possibilities as people have today.

When did you start to focus on playing football full-time, and not pay as much attention to education and work? Did you have to convince your family that this would work?
I stopped helping out my father and his work at 14 and decided to focus fully on football. There was no need for convincing, my father always believed in me and helped me.

At what point in your career did you understand that you had the potential to become the world-class player that we all know and love?
I didn't really ever realise it. In the beginning, I just played football because it was my passion. I wasn’t thinking about how big I was going to be. When I actually became successful, it was hard to maintain that level. It’s not until now, long after, that I can look back and see how good I was.

What were the biggest challenges you faced when you started playing for the big European clubs, compared to the domestic clubs in Brazil?

It was basically just to adapt wherever I went. Obviously, there’s a different style of game in Brazil and Europe. That was the main thing for me. You have to quickly adapt so that you can be on the first team and not the bench. It wasn’t so much only about the move from Brazil to Europe, but every country and club is different.

If you had to choose your all-time best teammates to play with, who would they be? 3 in defense, and 3 in attack.

For defense, Fernando Hierro, Paulo Maldini, and Fabio Cannavaro

In attack, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo, and Zico. 

Who was your favorite teammate to share dressing rooms and hotels with, in Real Madrid and the Brazil national team?

Ronaldo (R9) and David Beckham.

At what point in your career do you think you went from a top football player to a superstar?

When you’re playing, you don’t really realise it. Now, when I look back, I would say 2002, that’s where it really shifted.

Did your life change when you scored, arguably, the greatest-ever free-kick, versus France in 1997? 

Not really. However, now the problem is that I have to explain to everyone how I scored that goal, and I have no idea!

If you had to name one moment in your career that you want to be remembered for, what would that be?
There’s no specific moment. I just want to be remembered for my example, and how I presented myself off and on the field. Winning trophies and all that is, of course, very important, but what’s most important for me is how I am as a player and person. I am happy that I can be a good role model.

What is the biggest downside of being such a famous football player?

When you get injured is the worst. I don’t mind being famous, I really like my fans. But when you get injured, you have to start all over again to not be benched. 

Who were the toughest players to defend against throughout your career?
Figo, Samuel Eto’o, Ibrahimovic. Those were probably the toughest, but I played both with and against the best.

Who was your hero when growing up?
Branco, and of course, Diego Armando Maradona.

What is your biggest regret/missed opportunity throughout your career, that you wished you’d done differently?
If there would be anything I could do differently, it would be winning the World Cup in 98’. I wish I could change everything and win that title.

What is your opinion on the crazy increase in salaries and transfer fees, and extremely wealthy football clubs in the past decade?

I don’t really like to discuss it too much. It’s an entirely different scene now than when I played. Now, football is worth a lot of money. Each player gets what they deserve. The clubs offer what they can, and if they have that amount of money, so be it. My opinion is that the players bring more money to the club, not vice versa. The teams want the best players to win titles.

Who are your 3 favorites for the up & coming World Cup? And who is the strongest outsider to potentially surprise us and win the whole thing?
Brazil, Argentina, and Belgium. I don’t know who could be an outsider. Football today is so equal, and anyone can win it.

What do you think your life would have looked like if you didn't have a talent for football? And if you could’ve chosen any other profession, what would that have been?

I would like to be a driver in Formula 1! I am short, so I would be able to fit in the cars!

Can we expect to have you on our stream again? And do you think you will release another game with Playtech?

Wait for me with your arms open. I will come. I will invite you guys to Santiago Bernabeu one day!

Thank you, Roberto. It’s been an honor, and a once in a lifetime opportunity to have you here today. We and our community have been so excited.
Big hug to you guys and everyone watching. It’s been a pleasure, I love talking about my life and career.

AboutSlots & Casinodaddy want to thank Roberto Carlos and Playtech for this amazing opportunity!