SPORTSWORLD.AM
In an emotional video on social media, legendary Brazilian left-back Marcelo (36) announced his retirement from professional football on Thursday. He will leave Fluminense at the end of 2024, after his contract expired. "My love for football comes from my grandfather. He wanted me to be a professional and I did everything I could to achieve that. When I was 18, Real Madrid knocked on my door and I went. I can say that I am more of a Madrileño.
I started a family there with my wife. 16 seasons, 25 titles, five Champions Leagues, one captain and so many magical nights at the Bernabéu. Real Madrid is a special club. Madridism is an indescribable feeling. "Playing for my country from a young age was a great honour. I can remember two Olympic medals and the Confederations Cup. "Returning to Fluminense meant giving back to the club what it gave me, I helped it win three titles, including the Libertadores, and I left a legacy for young people with the Marcelo Vieira stadium. My story as a player ends here, but I still have a lot to give to football," Marcelo said in his video message.
A product of Fluminense, Marcelo made 40 appearances for the Rio de Janeiro club between 2005 and 2006, attracting the attention of Real Madrid. He moved to the Spanish capital at the age of 18 and eventually became a world-renowned left-back. He made 546 appearances, scoring 38 goals and providing 83 assists. He was named in the team of the year six times, won five Champions Leagues, six Spanish league titles and four Club World Cups as a major trophy, in addition to five Spanish Super Cups, three European Super Cups and two Copa del Reys. He left the Santiago Bernabeu in 2023 after 16 years, initially for Olympiacos, where he played just 10 games, before returning to Fluminense to finish his career where it all began. He made 68 more appearances for Carioca and helped them win an unprecedented Copa Libertadores last year. He has been capped 58 times by Brazil, participating in two World Cups (2014 and 2018), two Olympic Games (2008 and 2012) and the 2013 Confederations Cup.