Former Real Madrid captain Marcelo announce retirement from football

The Brazilian was one of the greatest left-backs of modern football.

Marcelo, a former defender for Real Madrid and Brazil, confirmed his decision to retire at the age of 36 with a video he shared on social media today.

With five Champions League wins and six LaLiga trophies over the course of a 19-year career, the left-back had one of football’s most trophy-rich careers.

“My story as a player ends here but I still have much to give to football,” Marcelo said in the video that shows highlights of his illustrious career.

In addition, Marcelo had trophy-filled stints with Fluminense in his own country, most notably helping them win the Copa Libertadores in 2023 after departing Madrid following their 2022 Champions League final victory and a brief stint at Olympiacos of Greece.

After a confrontation with head coach Mano Menezes during a match against Gremio in November 2024, he departed the Rio-based team.

After spending 15 and a half seasons with the team after initially joining from Fluminense in January 2007 at the age of 18, Marcelo left the Bernabeu as perhaps the most decorated player in the club’s 120-year heritage with 25 accolades. A record that was subsequently eclipsed by Nacho, Luka Modric, and Dani Carvajal.

He scored six goals in 58 games for Brazil. Despite being a member of the team that won the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup domestically, he never raised a significant international trophy. Additionally, he and the country won silver and bronze at the 2012 and 2008 Olympics, respectively.

Marcelo will go down as one of the greatest modern-day football left-backs, he was best in his position. He was versatile playing as an attacking and defensive full-back.

Considering he spent 15 years at Los Blancos is a further testament to his performance and consistency as how he managed to occupy the place for so many years remaining their finest first-choice full-back.

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