Roberto Carlos has backed England to lift the World Cup - but insists they must change their mindset to become winners.
Brazil legend Carlos, 48, who lifted the trophy in 2002, says Gareth Southgate must go into tournaments looking to win rather than just to try and 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 this December.
Former Real Madrid star Carlos said: “I think England have a good chance because Southgate has a very good team on his hands and match by match they seem to get better.
“But if England changes the mentality that they are there not just to get better but to actually win then they will make real progress.
“They have got players who are used to winning with their clubs but they have to learn how to win with their national team as well.
“An international team is the team with the best players from the country and England have got some good players, 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 always among the best teams when it comes to winning the World Cup or Euros because they are such important global competitions.”
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 whether 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 good! 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 part of the classic Galacticos team which swept all before them with David Beckham et al.
He still works for the club as an ambassador now and is diplomatic when asked to compare the current team and also La Liga and the Premier League.
Carlos added: “When people ask me about periods at teams, I always say: ‘Mine was the best!’ I think 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.
“It would have been a real experience and learning curve for me to participate in English football but, at the same time, Spanish football with Real Madrid gave me everything.”
Carlos is joining the eBay and Football Beyond Borders charity campaign which will give people to bid for the 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.
Carlos said: “Anything to do with disadvantaged people, anything to do with football, I’m happy to participate. These are the causes I like and I an always happy to wok with football teams. Football is a spectacle, it’s there to be enjoyed.”
- This Transfer Window Season, eBay UK is giving football fans across the country the chance of a lifetime to sign football legends Roberto Carlos and Eni Aluko to their Sunday League teams for one unforgettable match.
- The Dream Transfer means that anyone from a humble Sunday League team can throw their hat in the ring to sign a legend off eBay for only £5 - the price of a pint - all to support Football Beyond Borders, a charity that helps disadvantaged young people in the community.
- Enter for the chance to play with Roberto Carlos here, and Eni Aluko here. Anyone associated with a Sunday League team can enter, so it’s time to get parents, partners, friends and family involved for the chance to get some Transfer Window glory in local home towns.
