Star unhappy at Real

Real Madrid's charismatic Brazilian full-back Roberto Carlos is reportedly feeling left out and underpaid at the Bernabeu.

As club captains Fernando Hierro, Raul Gonzalez and Jose Maria Gutierrez met on Monday with Chairman Florentino Perez and Director of Football Jorge Valdano, in what was dubbed a 'crisis summit', many were surprised not to see the Brazilian invited.

After six years loyal and effective service with the club, he is considered as the fourth captain and one of the team’s standard bearers.

Valdano was keen to take the heat out of the situation when he told the daily El Mundo: "Roberto is not on the official list of captains, and this meeting has been planned for a long time. He hasn't been to other meetings and there was no reason for him to come to this one."

However, the free-kick specialist may feel there was more to it. Having maintained a long-running argument with the club over his salary, which he feels should be in line with the likes of what Raul, Figo and Zidane are earning, he also spoke out recently against the club's internal disciplinary regulations.

All this has helped fuel speculation that the Brazilian is not happy at Real and is thinking over his future.