Spurs rail at chants
Brazil icon Roberto Carlos insists the Three Lions can lift the trophy in Qatar... if they adopt a winning mindset
ROBERTO CARLOS has backed England to lift the World Cup – but he insists they must change their mindset to become winners.
Brazil legend Carlos, who lifted the trophy in 2002, says Gareth Southgate must head into tournaments looking to go all the way rather than just to try to make progress.
England reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2018, lost the Euros final last summer and will look to go one better in Qatar in November.
Former Real Madrid star Carlos, 48, said: “England have a good chance because Southgate has a very good team and, match by match, they seem to get better.
“But if England change the mentality – that they are there not just to get better, but to actually win – then they will make real progress.
“They have players who are used to winning with their clubs, but they have to learn how to win with their national team as well. I like English football a lot and I like the way the team is growing. I like Harry Kane.
“A lot of the time defeats come due to individual errors and, bit by bit, people will improve and learn from them.”
England are among the favourites to win the next World Cup and, despite Brazil being second in the latest FIFA rankings, the South Americans are not considered to have a vintage team comparable with their best.
But Carlos laughed when asked if he thought England were better than Brazil.
“When England are able to win a World Cup, then we are able to say they are just as
ROBERTO CARLOS has revealed his admiration for Southampton’s free-kick specialist James Ward-Prowse.
Ward-Prowse (above, left) is closing in on David Beckham’s record of 18 goals from freekicks in the Premier League – and Carlos generously admitted his former Real Madrid team-mate was better at set pieces than him.
Carlos said: “I watch all of the Premier League games and the Championship so I know all of the players and their capabilities.
“I like Ward-Prowse very much, he seems to good!” he said. “We are used to winning, we like winning and winning is a custom almost.”
Carlos had a trophy-laden 11 years at Real Madrid and was an important part of the classic Galacticos side that swept all before them.
He still works for the club as an ambassador and is diplomatic when asked to train properly and seems very good at set pieces. It was not a rivalry with Beckham (centre), we were friends but there was an argument about who could kick the furthest. “Beckham was No.1 in terms of quality.” It was in June 1997 that Carlos whacked in an amazing free-kick (right) for Brazil against France at Le Tournoi in Lyon.
He said: “Without doubt, my favourite was that one against France. But there was one I played in with Palmeiras and Gremio in 1994 at the beginning of my career... and from then on people got to know about Roberto Carlos.” compare the current team and also La Liga and the Premier League.
He said: “When people ask me about periods at teams, I always say, ‘Mine was the best!’
“Football has changed a lot, the physicality has improved a lot, but back when I was playing there was more individual quality.
“I work for Real Madrid, so I can’t say the Premier League is best. But I do like the atmosphere, the crowd and the style in English football.”
Carlos is joining the eBay and Football Beyond Borders charity campaign, which will give people the opportunity to bid for a chance to have the Brazil legend play in their Sunday League team.
He has also been a supporter of Soccer Aid in the past and believes football can have a positive impact.
“Anything to do with poor people and anything to do with football, I’m happy to participate in,” added Carlos.
“These are the causes I like and I am always happy to work with football teams.
“Football is a spectacle – it’s there to be enjoyed”
TOTTENHAM have condemned homophobic chanting from sections of the away fans during their 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final defeat at Stamford Bridge.
A chant aimed at Chelsea supporters in the second half led to complaints.
The north London club yesterday urged fans in a statement to report instances of such behaviour occurring again in future.
It said: “The club is extremely disappointed by homophobic chanting from sections of our support.
“No one should suffer discrimination because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
“Homophobic chanting at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium should be reported by text.”
Kick it Out condemned Liverpool fans in August when they used the same chant against Norwich’s Chelsea loan star Billy Gilmour.
They said: “The use of the term ‘rent boy’ in chants was unquestionably homophobic and has no place in our game.”