Brazilian defender Marcelo has officially announced his retirement from football at the age of 36.
A legendary left-back, Marcelo earned 58 caps for Brazil during his illustrious career. He began his journey at Brazilian club Fluminense before joining Real Madrid in 2007 at just 18 years old.
Over the course of 15 years at the Bernabeu, he won 25 major trophies, including five Champions League titles and six La Liga titles.
In a heartfelt video shared on social media, Marcelo reflected on his time at the club:
“At 18, Real Madrid knocked on my door and I arrived here. Now, I can proudly say that I am a true Madrileno.” He continued, “Sixteen seasons, 25 titles, five Champions Leagues, one of the captains, and so many magical nights at the Bernabeu. What a journey! My journey as a player ends here, but I still have so much to give to football. Thank you for everything.”
Marcelo became club captain in 2021, making history as the first non-Spaniard to wear the armband in the club’s 117-year history.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez paid tribute to the Brazilian, stating, “Marcelo is one of the greatest left-backs in the history of Real Madrid and world football, and we have had the privilege of enjoying him for a long time. He is one of our greatest legends, and Real Madrid is and will always be his home.”
After leaving Madrid at the end of the 2021-22 season, Marcelo joined Greek side Olympiacos but parted ways with the club just five months later.
In 2023, he returned to Fluminense, where he made 68 appearances across two seasons. Marcelo mutually agreed to leave the club last November after a public dispute with manager Mano Menezes.
