Zé Roberto

Early career

Zé Roberto started in the youth ranks of Palestra de São Bernardo but it was while playing for Portuguesa, as a left-back, that he became known throughout Brazil after finishing as runner-up in 1996 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. He then joined Real Madrid in January 1997 for a brief spell, where he helped them win the 1996–97 La Liga. He was also part of the Madrid's 1997–98 UEFA Champions League winning squad, scoring his only goal for the club in the opening group match against Rosenborg BK, before moving back to Brazil to play for Flamengo midway through the season. In an interview in 2012, Zé Roberto spoke of his decision to leave Madrid because of his ambition to play for Brazil at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France and had limited opportunities to prove his talents in Spain. In later interviews, he also stated that distractions during his early time in Madrid, such as late-night video gaming and poor sleeping habits, affected his performance and adaptation to European football. During the first half of 1998, Zé Roberto played for Flamengo under manager Paulo Autuori alongside Romário, Palinha, Juan, and his former Portuguesa teammate Rodrigo Fabri for the Rio de Janeiro State Championship, finishing disappointingly as runners-up. After this he was signed by German Bundesliga club Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

Bayer Leverkusen

He joined Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 1998. It was at Leverkusen that he really made a name for himself, quickly…

Capable of playing both as a left-sided defender and in several midfield positions, Zé Roberto was a quick, hard-working and versatile left-footed player who in his prime was known for his technique, vision and efficient style of play as well as his dribbling, passing, crossing and tackling ability. He started his career as an attacking full-back or wing-back on the left flank, occasionally functioning in a box-to-box role in midfield; he was later deployed as a left-winger and subsequently in a more creative role as an attacking midfielder, although he struggled to find space in the national side in this position due to the presence of several other world-class playmakers in the squad. During his time at Bayern Munich, Zé Roberto excelled alongside van Bommel as a defensive midfielder due to his ability to read the game, break down opposing plays and subsequently start counter-attacks; his adeptness at this new holding role led him to be called up to the Brazil national team once again, where he also formed an effective and consistent defensive midfield partnership with Emerson.

Zé Roberto was part of the Brazil squads at the 1998 and 2006 World Cups. In 1998, he helped the Seleção to the final, making one appearance, but was an unused substitute as Brazil lost to hosts France 3–0. He was left out of the 2002 World Cup winning squad due to a calf injury. In the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany Zé Roberto scored Brazil's third and final goal in a man of the match performance in Brazil's second round match against Ghana. He was the only Brazil player to feature in the all star team of the tournament. Zé Roberto helped Brazil to wins at the 1997 and 1999 editions of the Copa América, scoring Brazil's third goal in their 3–1 defeat of Bolivia in the final on 26 June 1997. He also represented Brazil at the 1997 and 2005 FIFA Confederations Cups in Saudi Arabia and Germany respectively, winning both. He played the full ninety minutes of the final in 2005, as Brazil overpowered arch rivals Argentina 4–1 on 29 June 2005. He also came runner-up with Brazil at the 1999 edition.

In 2022, Betsson, the leading international sportsbook and casino operator, announced Zé Roberto as a global ambassador on a three-year deal across all brands in its portfolio describing him as the best strategic partner to represent its brand in Brazil. As of July 2024, Roberto had over 2.8 million followers on Instagram and has become a major fitness influencer in Brazil.