Madrid - Roberto Carlos is prepared to return to Real Madrid for free, according to an interview published by sports daily AS on Wednesday.

The Brazilian left-back was the idol of the "madridista" fans 1996-2007 because of his powerful surges down the left, his never- say-die attitude, his dynamite gree-kicks - and his vital goals.

He left Real in 2007 - having helped them to three Champions Leagues and four Spanish Ligas - after a feud with then sporting director (and former team-mate) Pedja Mijatovic.

Roberto Carlos moved to Fenerbahce, but made it clear to AS that he intends to leave Istanbul in December.

"I am here in Madrid," he said, "to show my new wife, Mariana, the city, where I have been really happy. We are expecting a baby, it will be my eighth one."

He then confirmed his decision to leave Turkey in two months time. "I am 36 years old," he said, "and I have two years of football left in me, and I would to return to Brazil and play for some team there. I really miss my home, my family, my country."

Robert Carlos said that "there is another possibility: I would be prepared to play six months for Real for free, from January to June... I spent wonderful years in Madrid, winning everything, and I consider it my home."

When asked about the plan of Real president Florentino Perez to bring the club's former stars back to the Estadio Bernabeu (he has already brought back Zinedine Zidane, as "sporting advisor") he replied that "it is very important for me to return to Real Madrid.

"I would prefer to do so as a player, but if that is not possible then I would like to work here with the youth teams, teaching them everything that I know."

Roberto Carlos said that the current Real team, the most expensive side in football history, is "a great one, despite Sunday's defeat against Sevilla. You have to recognize that Sevilla have four or five players of a very high level."

When asked about the criticism levelled at coach Manuel Pellegrini following the Sevilla defeat, he replied that "this is normal. Now what they have to do is to start again. Real have a team good enough to win the Champions League, which is the most important thing from them this year."

He defended Pellegrini by saying that "he has demonstrated (at Villarreal 2004-2009) that he understands football, and he has to be respected for this."

Roberto Carlos also said that Kaka "is number one in the world" and that Cristiano Ronaldo "has made a wonderful start in Madrid." (dpa)