By Football.ua, CC BY-SA 3.0,
Former Brazil and Real Madrid defender Marcelo has officially announced his retirement from professional football, concluding a remarkable career filled with numerous accolades, including five UEFA Champions League titles.
At the age of 36, Marcelo represented Real Madrid from 2007 to 2022, departing the club with an impressive collection of 25 trophies amassed over 546 appearances, which featured six LaLiga championships.
He notably scored in the 2014 Champions League final, contributing to Real Madrid’s long-awaited “La Decima,” their tenth European title, which marked the beginning of a decade of supremacy during which the club secured five additional titles.
Marcelo was also integral to the team that achieved three consecutive Champions League victories from the 2015-16 to the 2017-18 seasons.
In a video shared on the social media platform Instagram on Thursday, he stated, “My journey as a player ends here, but I still have so much to give football. Thank you for everything.”
In addition to his Champions League successes, Marcelo’s trophy cabinet includes two Copa del Rey titles, five Spanish Super Cups, four Club World Cups, and three European Super Cups, and he also served as captain during the latter part of his tenure in Madrid.
One of the most distinguished left backs in the history of Real Madrid and global football, Marcelo has been a remarkable presence that we have had the honor of witnessing for an extended period, stated Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in an official announcement.
“He stands among our most esteemed legends, and Real Madrid will forever be his home.”
Marcelo’s most recent engagement was with Fluminense in the Brazilian Serie A, the club where he began both his youth and professional journey. He celebrated victory in the Copa Libertadores in 2023 before parting ways by mutual agreement in November.
Additionally, he represented Brazil in 58 matches, securing the Confederations Cup in 2013, along with a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics and a bronze medal in 2008.
