Former Brazil defender Roberto Carlos retires

Former Brazil and Real Madrid defender Roberto Carlos has announced his retirement from football.

The 39-year-old will assume an ambassador's role for Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, where he played the last of his 22 professionals seasons, Estadao- a Brazilian
newspaper reported. "Roberto was a world class player and it's sad that we're not going to see him play again," Anzhi coach Guus Hiddink said on Wednesday."Thankfully
Roberto has agreed to take on a role with the club to help develop football in the region and throughout Russia."

Carlos, a member of Brazil's 2002 World Cup winning squad, revealed Anzhi was planning a testimonial match against Real Madrid, the club he represented 370 times
between 1996 and 2007.  "We have sat down with (Real president) Florentino Perez and discussed the possibility of  a match," Carlos said. "We need to establish a date that
suits both clubs. I'd like it to be played here in Russia." Carlos played 125 games for Brazil and was a member of the team' s 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cup squads. (Xinhua)
Meanwhile a powerhouse Inter Milan has announced  that a group of Chinese investors will become its second largest shareholder.

Inter's Internazionale Holding Srl has reached an agreement which envisages the acquisition of a stake of F.C. Internazionale S.P.A, or Inter, by a group of Chinese investors, a
statement from the company said on Wednesday. The Moratti family will still keep control of the company.But the newly started phase of the club's corporate life will
especially contribute to the enhancement of Sino-Italian future cooperation in the sport world, Inter President Massimo Moratti told Xinhua on Wednesday evening at the
Milan headquarters of UBS AG financial services company, that assisted the agreement along with other advisers. "We want to offer our experience to our Chinese friends,"
he said adding that he especially aimed at bringing China's new generations close to football "with an important objective which is not only sportive but also social."

The Inter president defined football as "a common platform" between the two countries for sharing their  "common feelings and future projects." The first step of such
cooperation, Moratti stressed, will be a joint effort for the construction of a new Inter stadium in Milan with China Railway 15th Bureau Group, a company controlled by China
Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), one of the largest construction enterprises in the world. According to an agreement also reached on Wednesday, in the upcoming
months the parties will jointly select the potentially suitable locations, define the project team and start the filing process to obtain the required authorizations for the
construction of the new proprietary stadium, which is expected to be completed by 2017. "Ideas come out when different peoples share a common vision of the future. And
we were lucky enough to meet people with our same sentiment,"  said Moratti whose team has flied to Spalato where it is to play against Hajduk Split in the third qualifying
round of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.

Moratti said the project of the new stadium was "extremely important for Inter." It not only will contribute to raise new resources during the ongoing difficult economic times,
but will especially increase the number of football supporters in both countries.The Wednesday's agreement was "a revolution in the perception of football and the
relationship between various clubs in the world, being a collaboration which carries a very strong message," he highlighted. The friendship, respect and reciprocal
comprehension experienced by Moratti during the recent talks with his Chinese counterparts will pay the way for further bilateral sport, culture and investment projects in
the future, he said.  (Xinhua)