Ex-Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Brazil star undergoes outrageous physical transformation at 51

September 9, 2025

Not many players end up looking in better physical condition after the end of their careers, let alone into their fifties. Yet former Brazil, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid midfielder Ze Roberto looks as young as he did 20 years ago after becoming a personal trainer.

There have been some recent examples of players looking completely different after the end of their careers. Ex-Real Madrid man Mesut Ozil has clearly spent plenty of time in the gym since retirement, while Atletico Madrid and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has certainly bulked up since the end of his career too.

Ze Roberto: Not slowing down at 51

As highlighted by Marca, Ze Roberto has dedicated his newfound time to fitness since ending his career. Roberto has always been physically gifted, possessing remarkable stamina and good mobility for the duration of his career.

He pursued his career well into his forties, eventually calling time on a 22-year career in 2017, at the age of 43 following a spell at Palmeiras. Despite his age, Ze Roberto was still competing at the top level in Brazil. Eight years have passed, but Ze Roberto looks no worse for it, as evidenced by some of the photos posted on his social media.

Ze Roberto’s Real Madrid career

Real Madrid was Ze Roberto’s first landing spot in Europe, making the switch at the age of 21 from Portuguesa in his native Brazil. He was initially loaned out to Flamengo, and across two seasons made just 21 appearances over a spell totalling 18 months actually at the club, in which he scored once and gave two assists.

Four of those appearances did come in Real Madrid’s 1998 Champions League triumph though, and he picked up a winners’ medal for the 1997 La Liga title too. He is perhaps best remebered for his time at Bayern Munich though, where he spent the longest time in his career, winning four Bundesligas, and for his 84 caps and six goals with Brazil, which yielded two Copa America titles, somewhat unfortunately missing out on their 2002 World Cup triumph, despite playing in the 1998 and 2006 editions.