Carlos set for showdown talks

Roberto Carlos is set to meet with Real Madrid director of football Jorge Valdano today to ask for a new and improved contract at the Bernabeu.

The Brazilian left-back is keen for Real to recognise his importance to the team by raising his salary to a figure in line with those of Raul Gonzalez, Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane.

While they all earn 1,000 million pesetas (around £4million) a year, Carlos - whose current contract expires in 2005 - is on half that.

If, as expected, the player turns up at Valdano’s office to ask for a rise, the Argentinian will be placed in a difficult position, given the defender's status as a firm fans' favourite - a fact underlined by coach Vicente del Bosque yesterday.

"Roberto is well-loved by the whole Madrid crowd. I've never met anyone who speaks badly of him, and as a player and a person he deserves to be here."