Roberto Carlos

Luke responds to 'Shawberto Carlos' meme

Tuesday 13 April 2021 11:00

Luke Shaw has spoken out on recent comparisons of him with legendary Brazil left-back Roberto Carlos.

Our no.23’s spectacular showings this season, which have helped him claim our Player-of-the-Month awards for February and March, led to him being dubbed ‘Shawberto Carlos’ by some United fans on social media.

The tongue-in-cheek reference is clearly a nod to the former Real Madrid and Inter Milan man’s seemingly limitless engine and prowess for the spectacular – like Shaw, Carlos would bomb up and down the pitch and he scored an impressive 69 goals during a decade at the Bernabeu, in which he helped a classic La Liga side win three Champions League titles.

As well as catching the eye as one of the 'Galacticos', Carlos also starred for his national side for 14 years. He is Brazil's second-most capped player after fellow full-back Cafu and won the World Cup with the Selecao in 2002.

Luke may not be quite as prolific in front of goal, but his buccaneering recent form, particularly the performance in the recent Manchester derby, where he netted our second, has led to the meme gaining traction, including in Shaw’s own friendship group, even if he is a little embarrassed by the connection.

Roberto Carlos and Real Madrid knocked United out of the European Cup twice.

“I’ll be honest I’ve seen some things on it on social media and sometimes in my group chats my mates send me some stuff and I just laugh about it!” responded Luke to the question from Ulemu in our fan-led Q&A.

“I can’t be compared to him, he was unbelievable!

“I’m aware of it and it’s nice to be even mentioned alongside his name, but I just laugh about it!”

While Shaw is clearly appreciative of being likened to such a great in his position, Roberto Carlos is not actually, in his view, the best left-back of all time.

Luke looked closer to home for that accolade, and picked someone who regularly faced United and, indeed, a player who he succeeded in the England side as an 18-year-old, in 2014.

“I think, looking back at when I was growing up and my sort of era, and watching him a lot and basing my game a lot on him and what I wanted to be like as a player, then I would have to say Ashley Cole [was the best].

“I’ve always been a massive fan of him and thought, when I was growing up, he was one of the best left-backs at that time.

“For me, as an all-round full-back he was one of the best I’ve ever seen with attacking and defending, so I’d say Ashley Cole.”

We'll be publishing the full fans' Q&A with Luke Shaw later today.

Recommended: