Roberto Carlos attends the ISL auction

Those heading for a cigarette break during the Indian Super League (ISL) auction were surprised to run into a famous face in the smoking area. Puffing his cares away was Roberto Carlos, the great Brazilian leftback who won everything in the game and owned a thunderous freekick.

The 42-year-old Carlos, one of the original galacticos at Real Madrid, is the player-manager of Delhi Dynamos. Dressed in a suit and trendy black-framed spectacles, he wore his status lightly during the auction. He posed for pictures and shook hands with admirers. Conversation, though, was minimal , since Carlos does not speak English. But his warmth cut through barriers, much like his free kicks.