Roberto Carlos officially retires from playing to take up Anzhi role

The 2002 World Cup winner, who joined the wealthy Russian club in February 2011, has not played since being taken off the team's squad in March.

"Roberto had been a world class player, but unfortunately he doesn't play any more," said the former Russia coach Guus Hiddink, who was appointed as Anzhi's manager in February.

"Fortunately, Roberto will now take up a role to develop this club for the good of the game in the Dagestan region and the whole of Russia."

The 39-year-old said he was planning a farewell game against his former club Real.

"We had met Real president Florentino Perez and discussed such a match between Real and Anzhi," Roberto Carlos said.

"We need to set up a date that suits both clubs. I would like to have my farewell to be played in Makhachkala."

Anzhi's billionaire owner, Suleiman Kerimov, said last year that he wanted to make the Brazilian the club's worldwide ambassador, Kazinform has learnt from the Guardian.

Roberto Carlos, a two-times Copa América winner, won 125 caps for Brazil and played at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cups.

He quit the national side following the latter competition after being criticised in Brazil where he was blamed for allowing Thierry Henry to score the only goal in their quarter-final defeat to France.

Raised at the provincial club União São João, he made his name during three seasons with Palmeiras, moving to Internazionale for one season and then Real Madrid, where he spent 11 seasons.

After that, he still had time for a stint in Turkey with Fenerbahçe before moving home to play for Corinthians.