Ze Roberto to MLS? Not Yet

Bayern Munich star José Roberto da Silva Júnior has revealed that he does not plan to extend his contract with the German club when it runs out in 2009. Instead, the Brazilian better known as Zé Roberto has insisted that he would like to come to America to end his playing career."I don't want to and I can't stay," he told Kicker. "I've spent long enough in Europe - 2009 will be the end for me at Bayern. I have contacts with a team in America and that is a possibility for 2009," he continued.

Zé Roberto, 33, has been capped 84 times for his country between 1995 and 2007, but the left-footed winger recently retired from the Selecao to concentrate on his club. He was included on the roster for the FIFA World Cup in 1998 and 2006, scoring against Ghana in the second-round of the latter competition in Germany.

On the club side, Zé Roberto started off in Brazil with Portuguesa in 1994 until his move to Real Madrid in 1997. After 15 appearances at the Bernabéu, he returned to his home country for a brief stint with Flamengo, but would soon be off to Germany, playing for Bayer Leverkusen from 1998-2002 (113 appearances). His first run with Bayern Munich lasted from 2002-2006, broken up by another return to Brazil with Santos FC. In June of 2007, he signed a two-year deal to return to Allianz Arena.