Neymar could move to Real Madrid with my help, says Roberto Carlos
Tuesday 12 January 2016 15:04, UK
Former Real Madrid defender Roberto Carlos believes he could be key in taking Barcelona's Neymar to the Santiago Bernabeu.
The 42-year-old former Brazil international confirmed he was currently involved in talks to join new Real manager Zinedine Zidane's backroom staff at the Bernabeu.
The World Cup winner, who made over 500 appearances across an 11-year spell with the Madrid club, is confident he could persuade compatriot Neymar, who came third at Monday night's Ballon d'Or ceremony, to join Real from rivals Barca.
"I had a meeting with Real Madrid about my future with the club," he said in an interview on Punto Pelota.
"Soon I will know how I can collaborate with Zidane's Madrid."
Regarding Barca striker Neymar, he added: "I can take him to Real Madrid. He's very young. I am sure next year he will finish even higher in the Ballon d'Or."
Zidane replaced Rafael Benitez at the helm eight days ago and led Real to a 5-0 La Liga victory on his debut at home to Deportivo on Saturday.
Gareth Bale scored a hat-trick in that win and Roberto Carlos believes Zidane can help turn the Wales star into a leading candidate for the FIFA award, which was won for a fifth time by Argentina's Lionel Messi on Monday.
"Zidane is a leader in the dressing room," he added. "His personality is going to make him very successful. A coach has to befriend his players and Benitez struggled to form a bond with them.
"Zidane can do whatever he wants with him [Bale] and maybe even turn him into a candidate for the Ballon d'Or."
Real are through to the last 16 of the Champions League where they will face Roma but were thrown out of the Copa del Rey for fielding an ineligible player - suspended winger Denis Cheryshev - in the 3-1 fourth round victory at Cadiz, with an appeal having been rejected.
Zidane's men, third in the table, are next in action when they take on Sporting Gijon at home on Sunday.