Roberto Carlos to miss Barca clash

Roberto Carlos confirmed today that he will not be available for Sunday's clash against Barcelona due to tendonitis in his right knee.

The news comes after Real had overcome the original hurdle of FIFA allowing Roberto Carlos to participate in Sunday's match despite the World's governing body originally saying both he and Barca's Rivaldo would not be allowed to play due to next week's international commitments contravening their 'five-day-rule'.

However, the Brazilian defender, with tendonitis in his right knee, has been advised to rest for the next 12 days so as not to aggravate the injury.

Roberto Carlos said: "I haven't the time to recover for the Barca game unfortunately. But I'm in favour of FIFA's decision as it will add an extra dimension to the spectacle."

"I don't think that this turn-around by FIFA will hinder my team's chances against Barca, if Rivaldo wasn't there then they'd have someone else on the pitch who is just as strong."

Brazil have two World Cup qualifiers coming up, firstly away to Bolivia on November 7 and then at home to Venezuela on November 14.