Brazil legend Roberto Carlos set to feature in Sunday League game for pub side

Roberto Carlos will be involved in Soccer Aid for UNICEF again this year

After winning a charity ‘Dream Transfer’ raffle on eBay in January, Sunday League side 'Bull in the Barne United' will boast a World Cup-winning left-back on Friday.

The Shrewsbury-based side, named after a local pub, paid just £5 for his services - not a bad transfer fee in the modern game.

In reality, Bull in the Barne United entered a raffle to have legendary football icons feature in Sunday League fixtures, with all proceeds going to Football Beyond Borders, a charity that helps disadvantaged young people in the community.

The 48-year-old Roberto Carlos will feature in a friendly against Harlescott Rangers, a team that play alongside Bull in the Barne United in the Greenhous Shrewsbury and District Sunday League Division.

THE DREAM TRANSFER WINDOW IS OPEN. From today you can enter the @ebay_uk #DreamTransfer competition to sign me to play for your Saturday or Sunday League team. Entries cost £5 with all proceeds donated to @FootballBeyondBorders! Enter here: https://t.co/RJeu3x8ly7 #ad pic.twitter.com/nmJ6PIW13U
— Roberto Carlos (@Oficial_RC3) January 7, 2022

Carlos' last game came in 2015 for the Delhi Dynamos. While he may not be match fit, the Brazilian left-back will call upon his vast experience, after winning the 2002 World Cup and three Champions League titles with Real Madrid.

When it was announced in January that he would be turning out for Bull in the Barne for one game, Carlos said in a statement: "I'm excited to play for Bull in the Barne in Shrewsbury, paying homage to when I nearly signed for Birmingham City in the 90s, which is very close by.

"I've heard that the team's been down a number of players this season, so here's hoping my training is enough to help them up their game and bring what Bull in the Barne's fans want to see!"

Bull in the Barne manager and goalkeeper Ed Speller said: "Roberto Carlos is one of those legends who's inspired so many young players' love of the game.

"My jaw absolutely dropped when we found out Bull in the Barne won the Dream Transfer and he'll be playing alongside the team in Shrewsbury.

"It should be a right laugh for him to come see what we're made of, with some tense free-kicks and hopefully no dodgy tackles!"

?️ "What I most liked to do – which the keeper didn't expect – was to hit it with the outside of my foot."

?? Roberto Carlos on how to take free-kicks ?#UCL
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 2, 2022

Carlos isn't the first professional footballer to feature in a Sunday League team either. In February, former England, Chelsea and Juventus forward Eni Aluko also took part in the raffle.

East Sussex team Pevensey and Westham landed her services for one match only, and she came off the bench in a friendly loss to Ringmer AFC.