Brazilian defender Marcelo has revealed his emotions as he says goodbye to Santiago Bernabeu after a career that saw him win everything available as a player.
Marcelo bid farewell to Real Madrid on Monday, just a few days after winning the UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool on Saturday, to emerge as the club’s most decorated player.
The Brazilian defender did not play any part in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Liverpool, where his fellow compatriot Vinicius junior scored the game’s only goal to give Real Madrid their 14th Champions League title.
He described his last game for Real Madrid as an incredible emotion and winning the UEFA Champions League as a huge joy.
“It is a wonderful moment in my life. I close a cycle here, in the best club in the world. Today is not a day of sadness but a day of joy because we have once again won the best championship in the world. I am very proud of myself, and so is my family. We have lived many magical nights together.” Marcelo said.
He equaled Paco Gento, who played for Real between the 1950s and the 1960s, with his sixth La Liga title, which the team won before the end of the season and then overtook him completely has. Real Madrid won the UEFA Champions League at the Stade de France.
The UEFA Champions League, which is his 5th overall, took him above Gento.
Marcelo joined Real Madrid as a 19-year-old in 2007 from Brazilian club side Fluminese and immediately stepped into the shoes of Roberto Carlos when he left for Fenerbahce.
Marcelo, who featured 18 times for Real Madrid in all competitions this season, has made over 500 appearances in all competitions for the club.
In addition to the six La Liga titles and a Champions League trophy, Marcelo won four Club World Cups, three European Super Cups, five Spanish Super Cups, and the Copa del Rey twice.
Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu