Seeing Roberto Carlos in ISL was one of the biggest attractions in the second season of the Indian Super League. The World Cup-winning Brazilian full-back took a few years of a break following his stint with Russian club Anzhi before replacing Alessandro del Piero as the marquee signing for Delhi Dynamos FC in 2015.
Apart from being their marquee signing, Roberto Carlos was also the manager of Delhi Dynamos, who had decided to let go of coach Harm van Veldhoven following ISL season one. Hence, Carlos primarily remained Delhi’s manager, who also remained on the bench for his team on multiple occasions and played three matches.
Roberto Carlos in ISL: ISL 2015 season Stats
| Date | Match | Playing Minutes | Result |
| October 4, 2015 | Delhi Dynamos vs FC Goa | 45’ | Delhi Dynamos lost 2-0 |
| October 8, 2015 | Delhi Dynamos vs Chennaiyin FC | On the bench | Delhi Dynamos won 1-0 |
| October 14, 2015 | Delhi Dynamos vs FC Pune City | On the bench | Delhi Dynamos won 2-1 |
| October 18, 2015 | Delhi Dynamos vs Kerala Blasters | On the bench | Delhi Dynamos won 1-0 |
| October 21, 2015 | Delhi Dynamos vs Mumbai City FC | Not in squad | Delhi Dynamos lost 2-0 |
| October 29, 2015 | Delhi Dynamos vs Atletico de Kolkata | 25’ | Delhi Dynamos won 1-0 |
| November 3, 2015 | Delhi Dynamos vs NorthEast United FC | 70’ | Delhi Dynamos drew 1-1 |
| November 6, 2015 | Delhi Dynamos vs Mumbai City FC | On the bench | Delhi Dynamos dew 1-1 |
| November 14, 2015 | Delhi Dynamos vs Atletico vs Kolkata | On the bench | Delhi Dynamos drew 1-1 |
| November 19, 2015 | Delhi Dynamos vs FC Pune City | On the bench | Delhi Dynamos won 3-1 |
| November 24, 2015 | Delhi Dynamos vs Chennaiyin FC | Not in squad | Delhi Dynamos lost 4-0 |
| November 28, 2015 | Delhi Dynamos vs NorthEast United FC | Not in squad | Delhi Dynamos won 3-2 |
| December 3, 2015 | Delhi Dynamos vs Kerala Blasters | Not in squad | Delhi Dynamos drew 3-3 |
| December 6, 2015 | Delhi Dynamos vs FC Goa | Not in squad | Delhi Dynamos lost 3-2 |
Under Carlos’ stewardship, Delhi reached the playoffs by winning six of the 14 league matches and finishing the league stages with 22 points. They even went on to win the first leg 1-0 against FC Goa before losing the reverse leg 3-0 and crashing out of the semi-final leg 3-1 on aggregate.
Playing as a left-back and left wing-back all throughout his career, Carlos had to play as a defensive midfielder in the Indian Super League for Delhi. As a 42-year-old, Carlos couldn’t play the full ninety minutes for any of the three matches that he played in ISL, and his full contribution was 139 minutes. Delhi, won, lost and drew ISL games with Carlos on the pitch.
Roberto Carlos in ISL: Retirement
However, Roberto Carlos’ stint in ISL didn’t last more than a year, with numerous reports stating that the players’ monetary contract didn’t improve after the 2015 ISL season, despite the club reaching their first-ever ISL playoff.
After the semi-final leg against FC Goa, Carlos had stated, “I won’t be returning next year. Thanks a lot for all the love and support. If you perform well, then you get many good offers. That’s how it goes.”
“I still have not decided where I will be joining. I won’t be here next season. Now, I want to speak about the ISL. I still have three matches to go here. Whenever I sign with another club, you will know. Very soon,” he had further added.
Despite Carlos hinting at other offers in 2015 end, the celebrated footballer never really found another club.
The former left-back plied his trade for European and Asian clubs like Serie A giants Inter Milan, La Liga club Real Madrid, Turkish club Fenerbahce, ISL side Delhi Dynamos and other clubs before finally calling it a day on a long and illustrious career.
FAQs
What was Roberto Carlos’s ISL career?
One of the best left-backs in the world, Roberto Carlos played in the Indian Super League for one season during the second season in 2015. He acted as a player-manager for Delhi Dynamos and led them to the play-offs.
What is Roberto Carlos net worth?
As of 2022, Roberto Carlos is worth US$160 million. He currently works as a football ambassador.
