Marcelo (Part 1)

Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior, commonly known as Marcelo, is a Brazilian professional footballer renowned for his exceptional skills as a left-back. Born on May 12, 1988, Marcelo currently plays for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Fluminense.Marcelo's career took off when he began playing for Fluminense in 2005, winning the Campeonato Carioca title in his debut season and earning a spot in the 2006 Brasileirão Team of the Season. In January 2007, he made a significant move to Real Madrid for a fee of $8 million.


During his tenure at Real Madrid, Marcelo became a cornerstone of the team, winning numerous titles including five UEFA Champions League titles and six La Liga titles, establishing himself as one of the club's most decorated players with a total of 25 trophies.
In 2021, Marcelo was appointed as the captain of Real Madrid for the 2021–22 season, making history as the first foreign captain of the club since 1904. After departing from Real Madrid in 2022, Marcelo had a brief stint at Olympiacos before returning to Fluminense in 2023, where he played a pivotal role in winning the Copa Libertadores.


Marcelo's talent has also been recognized on the international stage. Since making his debut for Brazil in 2006, he has represented his country in various tournaments, including the FIFA World Cups in 2014 and 2018. Marcelo played a key role in Brazil's victory at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, starting all five matches including the final against Spain, which Brazil won 3–0. He also won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games and a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics, where he was one of the over-age players in Brazil's squad.


Throughout his illustrious career, Marcelo has received numerous accolades, including six appearances in the FIFPro World XI, three selections in the UEFA Team of the Year, and inclusion in La Liga's Team of the Season in 2016. Additionally, he was named to France Football's "Team of the Decade (2010–2019)", solidifying his status as one of the greatest left-backs of all time.


Marcelo's career at Real Madrid saw significant developments under the coaching of Manuel Pellegrini and later José Mourinho.Under Pellegrini, Marcelo's versatility and pace were key assets, often seeing him deployed as a left-winger. In the 2009–10 season, Marcelo excelled in this role, leading La Liga's assist charts and expressing his comfort with the position. This success earned him a contract extension in February 2010, solidifying his place at the club.
When José Mourinho took over in the 2010–11 season, Marcelo returned to his natural position as a left-back. Mourinho's trust in Marcelo was evident as he started in all league games, showcasing both defensive solidity and attacking prowess. Marcelo's standout performances, including his first-ever Champions League goal and an impressive showing against Lyon, earned him widespread acclaim.


Despite Real Madrid's loss to Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals, Marcelo's contributions did not go unnoticed. He was named in UEFA's starting XI and received praise from figures like Diego Maradona, who ranked him among the top players in La Liga alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. This recognition cemented Marcelo's status as one of the premier left-backs in the world.

Marcelo's tenure at Real Madrid saw him continue to make significant contributions both defensively and offensively, despite occasional setbacks.In August 2011, Marcelo faced a red card in a match against Barcelona, highlighting the intensity of the El Clásico rivalry. However, he quickly bounced back, showcasing his goal-scoring ability with a crucial goal against Sporting Gijón in December of the same year.His performances earned praise from legendary defenders like Paolo Maldini and Roberto Carlos, who hailed Marcelo as the premier left-back in the world. Marcelo's versatility was evident as he seamlessly transitioned between defensive duties and attacking contributions, a trait admired by footballing icons.


Marcelo's impact extended to the European stage, as he played a vital role in Real Madrid's Champions League campaign. Notably, he scored a crucial goal against Manchester City in the group stage, highlighting his importance to the team's success.Despite facing injuries during his career, Marcelo's leadership qualities were evident as he captained Real Madrid on multiple occasions. His resilience and determination were on display as he returned from injury to lead the team to victory, showcasing his commitment to the club's success.


Marcelo's tenure at Real Madrid continued to be illustrious during the 2018–19 season, where he played a pivotal role in the team's success, making 34 appearances and securing the Club World Cup title for the third consecutive time.In the following season, Marcelo's contributions were instrumental as Real Madrid clinched the league title during the 2019–20 campaign. Despite making fewer appearances, his experience and skill were evident in helping the team achieve success.


However, Marcelo faced challenges during the 2020–21 season, grappling with injuries and competition from Ferland Mendy for the left-back position. Despite his limited appearances, he remained a respected figure within the squad.Marcelo's leadership qualities were recognized when he was appointed as the captain of Real Madrid for the 2021–22 season, following Sergio Ramos' departure. This marked a significant milestone in his career, as he became the first foreign captain of the club in over a century.


Throughout his time at Real Madrid, Marcelo accumulated numerous accolades, including his 100th Champions League appearance in October 2021 and becoming the player with the most titles in the club's history after winning La Liga in April 2022.His storied career reached its pinnacle when he lifted his fifth Champions League trophy in May 2022, although he did not feature in the final match. Following this triumph, Marcelo bid farewell to Real Madrid after 15 years of service, leaving behind a legacy as one of the club's greatest players.


Marcelo's foray into football club ownership began in 2017 when he started investing through his company DOZE . The company took on a majority shareholder role in the Campeonato Paranaense club Azuriz, which is based in Marmeleiro, Paraná. This move marked Marcelo's initial step into the world of club ownership, demonstrating his interest in shaping the future of football beyond his playing career.

References

1.  FINISHED Marcelo Signs Real Madrid Contract Extension Archived 8 February 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Goal.com (5 February 2010). Retrieved 21 June 2012.
2. ^ FIFA Announces 55-Man Shortlist For 2010 World XI. Goal.com (25 November 2010). Retrieved 21 June 2012.
3. ^ Jenson, Pete (17 March 2011). "Marcelo calms Real nerves as Mourinho ends seven-year wait". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
4. a b Diego Maradona tips Tottenham target Sergio Aguero to join Real Madrid one day Archived 27 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Goal.com (24 February 2011). Retrieved 21 June 2012.
5. a b Paolo Maldini: Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale only knows how to attack Archived 8 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Goal.com (16 December 2011). Retrieved 21 June 2012.
6. a b La Liga Headlines: Roberto Carlos: Marcelo best in world Archived 31 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Adifferentleague.co.uk (29 March 2012). Retrieved 21 June 2012.
7. ^ Bevan, Paul (12 September 2012). "Real Madrid 3–2 Man City". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 13 May 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
8. ^ "Real Madrid beat Chelsea 3–1 to claim the International Champions Cup". Sky Sports News. 7 August 2013. Archived from the original on 3 September 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
9. ^ Jurejko, Jonathan (9 March 2014). "Real Madrid 3–0 Levante". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
10. ^ "Real Madrid 4 Atlético Madrid 1". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
11. ^ "Marcelo, at Real Madrid until 2020". Real Madrid C.F. 10 July 2015. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
12. ^ "Official Announcement: Marcelo". Real Madrid C.F. 10 July 2015. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
13. ^ "Spot-on Real Madrid defeat Atlético in final again". UEFA. 28 May 2016. Archived from the original on 10 January 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
14. ^ "El Real Madrid, campeón de LaLiga Santander 2016/17". laliga.es. 21 May 2017.