Roberto Carlos enjoys pint in Liverpool bar and stuns fans ahead of Real Madrid clash
Liverpool are due to take on Real Madrid at Anfield in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 clash, and one of the Spanish side's famous ex-players was seen out on the town
Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos was spotted enjoying all Liverpool city centre had to offer ahead of Real Madrid's trip to Anfield.
The former Brazil international, 49, won the Champions League with Los Blancos in 1998, 2000 and 2002. His old employers lifted the trophy for the 14th time in May, beating Liverpool in the final in Paris, and have been handed a rematch in this year's competition.
Since retiring, he has worked as an ambassador for Real Madrid, and spoke to Mirror Football ahead of the 2022 final. This time around, the World Cup winning left-back has been stunning supporters with the pre-match merriment beginning in town in the hours before kick-off.
Photos shared on social media showed Roberto Carlos on Mathew Street in central Liverpool, with the Cavern Club in view. Other snaps purported to show the Brazilian in the Rubber Soul and Sgt Peppers bars, where fans had gathered.
"Roberto Carlos tuning in to watch the best left back in the world play, what a guy," one fan wrote on Twitter. Others, meanwhile, expressed their annoyance at just missing out on the opportunity to rub shoulders with an all-time great.
"That’s what a football legend looks like," another fan wrote. "Among the people… accepted by all and loved by all!"
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Real Madrid and Liverpool have met twice in recent Champions League finals. The Spanish side ran out 3-1 winners in 2018, with Gareth Bale scoring twice, while a Vinicius Junior goal made the difference in the 2022 meeting.
“One of the most successful clubs in the world, super experienced. In our own story," Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said of his team's opponents. "We played this final in Paris and I didn't watch it back until this weekend. Now I know why I didn't watch it!
“I didn’t watch Paris back until this weekend. Proper torture. We played a good game and could’ve won the game. They scored a decisive goal and we didn’t. You could see how experienced Madrid is.”
READ MORE: All Premier League matches picked for TV coverage including Man City vs Arsenal showdownREAD MORE: Loris Karius should avoid repeat of Liverpool nightmare at Wembley due to rule changeThe two teams have been drawn together thanks to Liverpool's failure to secure top spot in their group, with Klopp's team finishing behind Napoli on head-to-head goal difference after exchanging victories. Real Madrid, who are managed by former Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti, finished a point clear of RB Leipzig in their group.
Real Madrid were without injured left-back Ferland Mendy for their trip to Anfield, with Aurelien Tchouameni also unavailable for the reigning European champions. However, Germany international midfielder Toni Kroos was deemed fit enough for a spot on the bench after being a doubt in the lead-up to the game.
