Brazil icon Roberto Carlos says he nearly joined Everton after game at Goodison Park

The career of Brazilian icon Roberto Carlos could have been very different if he had joined Everton in 1995 over Inter Milan when the Toffees tracked the full-back

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Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos has revealed how he almost joined Everton in 1995, when asked if he ever had the chance to play in England.

Despite enjoying a lengthy career that took in the sights of Madrid, Milan, and, bafflingly, Makhachkala - the free kick expert never played in England. However, that wasn't because he didn't ever have the chance, and the left-back almost joined Chelsea in 2007.

But a more interesting move that almost materialised saw a young Carlos, then a Brazilian international, almost move to Merseyside. Carlos had played at Everton's home Goodison Park for Brazil against Japan in 1995 when the Toffees took notice of his talents.

Carlos revealed to Blockasset: "2007, I received my proposal to Chelsea; I talked at that time to [Roman] Abramovich, but we had some problems with the contract and I didn't sign.

"That's why I went to play at Fenerbahce. But in England: Chelsea, Everton, Birmingham, and Aston Villa. There were four teams interested, Aston Villa at the start of my career, and Everton after a game between Brazil and Japan where I scored a goal.

"But the most important deal was with Chelsea."

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Carlos was still in Brazil, playing for South American giants Palmeiras, when Everton were interested in his services.

The all-time great did leave Brazil that summer, but he arrived at Inter Milan while Serie A was at its lofty peak. However, after one miserable season in Italy playing under Roy Hodgson - who wanted to use him as a winger instead of a left-back - he moved to Real Madrid.