ROBERTO CARLOS: I AM HAPPY AT REAL
Jorge Valdano, the sporting director of Real, had not helped matters by claiming Roberto Carlos was 'disillusioned' at the club. The main source of the Brazilian's discontent was that he was earning less than Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Raul, on 800 million pesetas a year, compared to the triumvirate's 1,000 million pesetas.
However, the left-sided defender was wheeled out in front of a press conference at Real's stadium to express his pleasure with his contract and to explain his goalscoring celebrations against Espanyol, which mirrored scenes at the end of the Champions League match with Lokomotiv Moscow.
"I am very pleased with my current contract. I don't have any reason to lie. I am happy and there is no problem," said Roberto Carlos.
"If I score a goal on Wednesday I will dedicate it to whoever I want. I have been criticised this week but my celebration was a dedication to my daughter. When I scored the goal I began to jump out of happiness.
"I did it for her, not for a possible improvement in my contract or image rights," claimed Roberto Carlos.
The Brazilian was seen to cup his hand to his ears, which Spanish observers claimed was a signal to the board, to listen to the people and give Roberto Carlos a pay increase.
The former Inter star concluded: "Real Madrid fans must trust Roberto Carlos. There is no problem with the club nor with anybody. I have my contract, nothing more. I am happy here, the fans know that and they are clapping me, and if there is any problem off the field I will solve it, okay?"
Meanwhile, Barcelona president Joan Gaspart has rejected the possibility of paying Roberto Carlos's massive buy-out clause, even if claims of him being unhappy at Real Madrid grow into a tangible desire to leave the Spanish capital.
Ever since Real supremo Florentino Perez 'stole' Luis Figo from the Catalans, they have been planning their revenge and the surreal situation surrounding Roberto Carlos was seen in some quarters as an ideal opportunity to exact this.
Real bought out Figo's contract, however, it would take a bid of around £46 million, money Barca simply cannot afford to splash out on one player, to take Roberto Carlos away from Santiago Bernabeu.
"The same respect that I have asked for my player is the one I'm going to have for other club's players with regards their current contracts. Roberto Carlos's contract at Real Madrid expires in 2005," said Gaspart.
"Now we have covered the left wing back spot with Francesco Coco and Sergi Barjuan, two great players, who are also international.
"However, we have to recognise how great Roberto Carlos's quality is. But Barcelona will not comment on anything else."
The only scenario Gaspart could see Barca bidding for the Brazilian was if he were to become a free agent.
