Brazil star wants Real break

Roberto Carlos is asking to be excused from Real Madrid’s pre-season due to the non-stop commitments with both club and country.

The 28-year-old defender left Spain on Monday to join the Brazilian national team, who are preparing for the World Cup qualifier against Uruguay on July 1 in Montevideo.

"I'm going to have a word with the coach about this," Roberto Carlos said on Thursday. "I'll just have one week off before the squad flies out to Nyon for the pre-season."

But it could be even worse, if Brazil make the final of the Copa America on July 29, then he would not have one single day's holiday.

Real midfielder Santiago Solari is in a similar position with the Argentinian squad, but at least he will not be tied up with a whole series of extra friendly matches like his team-mate.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Real Madrid squad have gone their separate ways to enjoy a month's holidays before the return to work on July 23.