Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos has said he will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season after 11 years at the club.

"I'm not going to renew my contract. I think the moment has come for me to put an end to my time at the club and leave them to start a new project," the 33-year-old told sports daily Marca on Friday.

"I'm sure about it. My time at Real Madrid has ended. After three years without winning anything I had to take a decision."

The former Brazil international joined Real from Inter Milan in 1996 during Fabio Capello's first spell as coach at the club.

Since then he has been a fixture in the first team and played a key role in helping Real win three European Cups, three league titles and two World Club Cups.

He has played more games for the club than any other foreign-born player and has scored 45 league goals.

Roberto Carlos quit international soccer after Brazil's 1-0 World Cup quarter-final defeat by France last year.