Brazilian icon Roberto Carlos will bring his sharp eye for top talent to Poland as a judge for the seventh edition of the planet’s premier freestyle football tournament, Red Bull Street Style. The World Cup champion will join a judging panel of sporting stars to find the best men’s and women’s freestyle athletes when competitors from more than 50 nations face off in the World Final at Warsaw’s iconic Hala Gwardii on 22 November 2018.
WARSAW (POL) – Known as The Bullet Man for free kicks that ripped through the air at over 169 kmh, Roberto Carlos da Silva is idolized for launching impossible bending goals. In Warsaw, it will be his turn to witness never-before-seen moves as freestyle standouts from around the world go head to head on the quest for the Red Bull Street Style world championship.
Red Bull Street Style is all about blending innovation with extraordinary skills: the tournament format – three minutes, two players, one ball – puts equal weight on creativity, technical skills and style.
Roberto Carlos will be the latest living legend to bring his expertise to a Red Bull Street Style final, which over its 10-year history has seen names like Edgar Davids, Fabio Cannavaro and Raí take a seat on the elite judging panel along with famous freestyle heroes.
“I’m excited to be one of the judges of the Red Bull Street Style final on November the 22nd. It’s a new challenge for me, and I’m really looking forward to it!”, Roberto Carlos enthused. “I’ve already been to Poland in the past, but many years ago… so it’s great to come back to a lively city like Warsaw.”
The Brazilian superstar judge knows what it’s like to win on a big stage. Roberto Carlos did not just score 71 goals for Real Madrid, winning four La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies, but also revolutionized the game starting from his traditional left-back position. He claimed 125 caps with the Brazilian National Team and won the FIFA World Cup in 2002: his season was so outstanding that he even finished second in the Ballon d’Or contest that year, beaten only by his fellow countryman Ronaldo Nazário.
Among the international freestylers Roberto Carlos will be judging at the Hala Gwardii are the two defending Red Bull Street Style champions: 2016 winner Carlos “Charly” Iacono of Argentina, and, in the women’s tournament, the French queen of freestyle who is looking for a hat-trick of consecutive crowns –Mélody Donchet.
With the longest list of countries involved in the history of the event, and only the most outstanding athletes taking the spotlight, the two freestyle titleholders will need to pull off their own “impossible” performances if they want to extend their reign.
“I’ve always been a fan of freestyle football, because even as a pro footballer it’s quite amazing to see what these guys can do with a ball,” said Roberto Carlos. “I’m not sure if I could do all their tricks myself: I’m convinced it would be difficult even for other amazing guys I’ve played with in my career!”
Be there for all the action of the Red Bull Street Style World Final, kicking off at Warsaw’s historic Hala Gwardii venue at 19:00 CET on Thursday, 22 November 2018. Admission is free!
For more info:
www.redbullstreetstyle.com
World Freestyle Football Association: www.thewffa.org
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Contact: Mario Schoby / +436646385997 / mario.schoby@3mpg.ch