Roberto Carlos

Roberto Carlos gave Real Madrid a route forward that began deep on the left and could finish with a cross, combination or shot. His explanation of crossing emphasises supplying the striker, not simply hitting the ball hard. The attacking reputation also hides deliberate defensive learning: he described adjusting his body position against Luís Figo and coordinating with team-mates. His speed made the role possible, but recognising when to advance and how to recover made it useful to the team.