World Cup winner Roberto Carlos is reported to have demanded a transfer after Real Madrid dropped him for last weekend’s 3-2 league win over Racing Santander.

The 31-year-old has informed Real sporting director Emilio Butragueno he wants to move in the January transfer window, according to newspaper reports.

The Brazilianjoined Real in 1996 and his contract expires in 2007 but he has frequently complained about Real’s reluctance to offer him pay parity with the likes of Raul, Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and David Beckham.

Manager Mariano Garcia Remon left both Roberto Carlos and David Beckham on the bench at El Sardinero, claiming the pair had not trained well in the build-up to Saturday’s match.