After 10 years and 128 caps the Real Madrid defender is stepping down to allow young talent to come through, he said on his official Web site on Monday.

"On the Selecao (Brazilian national squad) my story has ended," Carlos said.

"I want to open space for new blood. I hope I can give this number six jersey to someone who might carry on this victorious history."

The 33-year-old Carlos was central to the team that won the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.

Favourites to retain the World Cup in Germany, Brazil suffered a quarter-final defeat to France on Saturday.