Legendary AC Milan & Juventus Manager On Roberto Carlos Transfer From Inter To Real Madrid: “Thought It Was A Joke, No-One Is That Stupid” | OneFootball

Fabio Capello admits he couldn’t believe Inter Milan’s decision to sell Roberto Carlos to Real Madrid back in the day.

Speaking to El Mundo via FCInterNews, the 78-year-old discussed one of the worst mistakes in Inter’s transfer history.

Widely considered one of the greatest left-backs of all time, Roberto Carlos arrived in Europe in 1995.

Indeed, Inter unearthed the Brazilian gem, signing him from Palmeiras as a relatively inexperienced youngster.

However, Carlos’ career at the San Siro never took off.

After failing to find common ground with then-manager Roy Hodgson, he left the club the following year.

Meanwhile, Fabio Capello had just arrived at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Shell-shocked by Inter’s decision to put Carlos up for sale, the Italian boss quickly convinced Los Blancos to sign the Brazilian.

And the rest was history.

During his 11-year stint in Madrid, Carlos cemented his status as one of the greatest full-backs in history.

Fabio Capello Blasts Inter Milan Decision to Sell Roberto Carlos to Real Madrid

“The signing that changed everything was Roberto Carlos, though I still don’t understand how it happened,” Capello admitted.

“I had just signed for Madrid, I was still in Milan when an agent called me and said: ‘Fabio, Inter is selling Roberto Carlos.’

Brazilian football legend Roberto Carlos smiles during a press conference after appearing in a friendly match for Shrewsbury and District Sunday League side “Bull in the Barne United” outside Shrewsbury in north-west England on March 4, 2022, after he was purchased by the club in an auction. – Brazil and Real Madrid great Roberto Carlos experienced a taste of English grassroots football turning out for a pub team on Friday.The 48-year-old retired full-back appeared for Bull in the Barne United in Shrewsbury after the team won a charity “Dream Transfer” raffle on eBay in January. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

“I replied: ‘That’s not true, no one is that stupid.’ But he insisted: ‘I swear to you, and he’ll cost 500 million pesetas.’

“And I couldn’t believe it – it wasn’t even expensive.

“I told him I would only believe it if he sent me a fax with Inter’s official documents, signed and stamped.

“It was four in the afternoon, and by eight, the fax arrived at my house. I genuinely thought it was a joke.”

Unfortunately for Inter, it wasn’t.

It remains one of the worst business deals in Nerazzurri history to this day.