Roberto Carlos says he will continue to play for Anzhi Makhachkala for one more year before hanging up his boots and working permanently on the billionaire club's backroom staff.
The Brazilian has not seen competitive action since September, when he stepped in as caretaker manager after coach Gadzhi Gadzhiev was fired.
Now, December's appointment of Yuri Krasnozhan has freed up the 38-year-old to resume his duties on the pitch, where he has appeared 28 times and scored five goals since joining a year ago.
Asked how long he felt he had left as player, the 2002 World Cup winner told Sport-Express on Thursday: "A year, maximum."
"I'll be training as usual, and if the coach decides that I'm needed on the pitch, I'll play," said Roberto Carlos, a career left back who had mostly featured in central midfield for Anzhi.
"We have young guys in the center of the field, Jucilei [da Silva] and Odil Ahmedov. These guys are 23 and 24, and obviously they need to play."
Roberto Carlos' role at the Dagestan-based club is known to extend far beyond playing and advising the coaches.
He has given dozens of interviews explaining his duties in ensuring the club runs professionally when it comes to its internal affairs, and acting as a conduit between billionaire owner Suleiman Kerimov and the football world when it comes to acquiring new players.
Roberto Carlos reiterated his lack of enthusiasm for going into management, saying he wants to focus on his ambassadorial role at Anzhi.
"I want to shape the way Anzhi develops, be that in the club's relations with the Russian Football Union or helping the players develop so they are ready for the 2018 World Cup," which is taking place in Russia, he said.
He told Sport-Express that Anzhi, currently seventh in the Russian Premier League, could unveil some big signings before the season resumes on March 3.
