Carlos believes he can help Real Madrid sign Barca star Neymar

Former Real Madrid defender Roberto Carlos believes he could be key to taking Barcelona's Neymar to the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 42-year-old former Brazil international confirmed he was currently involved in talks to join new Real manager Zinedine Zidane's backroom staff at the Primera Division club.

The World Cup winner is confident he could persuade compatriot Neymar, who came third at Monday night's Ballon d'Or ceremony, to join Los Blancos from rivals Barca.

He told marca.com: "I had a meeting with Real Madrid about my future with the club.

"Soon I will know how I can collaborate with Zidane's Madrid."

While, regarding Barca striker Neymar, he added: "I can take him to Real Madrid. He's very young. I am sure next year he will finish even higher in the Ballon d'Or."

Zidane replaced Rafael Benitez - after just seven months in charge - at the helm eight days ago and led them to a 5-0 La Liga victory on his debut at home to Deportivo on Saturday.

Gareth Bale scored a hat-trick in that win and Roberto Carlos believes Zidane can help turn the Wales striker into a leading candidate for the FIFA award which was won for a fifth time by Argentina's Lionel Messi.

He added: "Zidane is a leader in the dressing room. His personality is going to make him very successful. A coach has to befriend his players and Benitez struggled to form a bond with them.

"Zidane can do whatever he wants with him (Bale) and maybe even turn him into a candidate for the Ballon d'Or."

Real are through to the last 16 of the Champions League where they will face Roma but were thrown out of the Copa del Rey for fielding an ineligible player - suspended winger Denis Cheryshev - in the 3-1 fourth round victory at Cadiz, with an appeal having been rejected.

Zidane's men, third in the table, are next in action when they take on Sporting Gijon at home on Sunday.