Real Madrid great Marcelo retires from professional football

Real Madrid and Brazil great Marcelo has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 36.

Marcelo joined Madrid from his boyhood club Fluminense in 2007 and spent 15 years at the Santiago Bernabeu, becoming one of the most decorated players in history.

The left-back won 25 trophies with Los Blancos, including the Champions League on five occasions and LaLiga six times.

He played 546 games for Madrid overall, putting him 13th on their all-time appearances list, before spending five months at Olympiacos, then returning to Fluminense in February 2023.

Marcelo, who also won 58 caps for Brazil and scored six international goals, helped the Sao Paulo club beat Boca Juniors to win the Copa Libertadores for the first time in their history later that year.

“At 18, Real Madrid knocked on my door and I arrived here. Now, I can proudly say that I am a true Madrileno,” Marcelo said in a video posted to his social media channels.

“Sixteen seasons, 25 titles, five Champions Leagues, one of the captains and so many magical nights at the Bernabeu. What a journey!

“My journey as a player ends here, but I still have so much to give to football. Thank you for everything.”

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Only two players have ever won the Champions League on more occasions than Marcelo, with his former Madrid team-mates Dani Carvajal and Luka Modric doing so six times.

Madrid then posted a statement of their own, saying: “Following Marcelo’s announcement that he is retiring as a professional football player, Real Madrid would like to express its gratitude and affection to him.

“Marcelo belongs to the history of Real Madrid and is one of the great legends of the club and of world football.”