Mueez Ajao
– Marcelo will leave Real Madrid this summer, he confirmed on Saturday, after winning a record-breaking 25th trophy at the club in their 1-0 Champions League final victory over Liverpool.
– The veteran defender was an unused substitute in Madrid’s win in Paris, but lifted the trophy — his fifth Champions League having been involved in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018 — as club captain.
– Marcelo, 34, had said earlier this week that he wanted to stay at the Bernabeu with his contract due to expire next month, but admitted after the game that he would be leaving Madrid after 15 years.
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– “It’s an incredible emotion because it’s my last game at Real Madrid,” he told journalists in the mixed zone at the Stade de France. “Leaving with a Champions League is a huge joy. It isn’t a sad day.”
Marcelo leaves Real Madrid after 15 years. The decision has been made as was the perfect moment to say goodbye after winning La Liga and Champions League as captain. 🇧🇷 #RealMadrid
Marcelo will now decide his next step after leaving Real on a free transfer. pic.twitter.com/fBy9N06TeB
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 29, 2022
– The left-back became the most decorated player in Real Madrid’s history when he overtook legendary winger Paco Gento’s 23 trophies as the club won LaLiga last month.
Marcelo Vieira da Silva Junior: The most decorated footballer in Real Madrid history 👑 pic.twitter.com/BgDcxLzLhN
— GOAL (@goal) May 28, 2022
– His trophy haul now stands at five Champions Leagues, four Club World Cups, three European Super Cups, six league titles, two Copas del Reys and five Spanish Supercopas.
A legend’s goodbye for @MarceloM12 🥺👋 pic.twitter.com/iWeItfJbBm
— 433 (@433) May 21, 2022
– Marcelo had been widely expected to move on this summer — having lost his first-team place to Ferland Mendy in recent seasons — but said in the aftermath of Madrid’s league title celebrations that he wanted to continue.
Marcelo: "The emotion is brutal, it was my last game with Real Madrid."#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/CoWdE5g9Mf
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 29, 2022
– “You talk about things,” he said on Saturday. “We’ve spoken and we’ve decided it’s best like that. I’ve already done everything I had to do at Madrid. I’ve been lucky to be here for 15-and-a-half years at the best club in the world.”
– Marcelo joined Real Madrid from Fluminense in January 2007. He has been linked with a return to Brazil, although his family are settled in the Spanish capital, with son Enzo starring this season for Madrid’s under-13 team.
– Marcelo will officially say goodbye to the Merengue fans this Sunday at the team’s official celebration in Madrid, which will conclude at the Fuente de la Cibeles, the traditional venue for Merengues titles.
– Marcelo’s track record with Real Madrid Marcelo won 25 official titles with the Merengue team 13 in Spain and 12 at the international level:
5 Champions League
6 Spanish Leagues
3 European Super Cups
2 Del Rey Cups
5 Spanish Super Cups
4 Club World Cups
