New Delhi: Retiring defender Marcelo received a standing ovation before Real Madrid’s La Liga clash with cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Brazilian announced his retirement from professional football this week at the age of 37 after a decorated career, 16 years of which he spent at Real Madrid.
He began his career at Fluminense, then joined Real aged 18 in 2006 and helping them win five Champions League titles, six La Liga championships, four Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups, two Copa del Reys and five Spanish Super Cups before leaving in 2022.
The left back made 546 appearances for the Los Blancos, becoming the third-most capped foreign player in Real’s rich history to be often regarded as one of the greatest left-backs of all time.
Emotional tribute
To celebrate his achievements, Real Madrid paid a tribute to Marcelo. The packed Santiago Bernabeu stadium applauded him and gave home a standing ovation when he entered the pitch along side his sons Enzo and Liam.
He stepped onto the pitch after Kylian Mbappe received claps for receiving the La Liga Player of the Month award for January.
🇧🇷👏 Real Madrid say thank you to Marcelo, the club he won 25 trophies with. 🏆✨ (@LaLiga) pic.twitter.com/H6kDKn6KYf
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) February 8, 2025
His long-time former team-mate Luka Modric handed him a framed jersey signed by the entire current Real Madrid squad. Marcelo bowed down to Modric in mark of respect and admiration.
The Real squad gave him a guard of honour and posed with him for a group photo.
The south stand at the Bernabeu stadium unveiled a huge mosaic with the club’s current crest beside its original emblem that was in use from 1902 to 1908.
“One hundred years since white became the color of the capital,” read a massive banner to commemorate the centenary of Real Madrid’s famous white kit.
Brazilian full-back Marcelo announced his retirement from professional football this week at the age of 37 after a decorated career, 16 years of which he spent at Real Madrid. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
