Marcelo talks Alonso, Vinicius, Mbappe, Rodrygo, Ancelotti – ‘Real Madrid will always fight for titles’ | OneFootball

Former Real Madrid left-back and club legend Marcelo was recently revealed as a new ICON in the videogame EA SPORTS FC. He joins an incredible cast of legends: Ronaldo, Diego Maradona, Pele, Ronaldinho, and Zinedine Zidane, among others.

The former Brazilian international enjoyed a legendary career at the highest level, most of which he spent at Real Madrid.

Marcelo is the player with the fourth-highest number of trophies in the history of Los Blancos. He recently sat down for an interview with AS to reflect on his career and his journey at the Spanish capital club.

Marcelo reflects on Real Madrid success

When asked about his success at Real Madrid, where he won 25 trophies, Marcelo replied humbly, saying:

“It’s not that I don’t like it, I understand people. I say Roberto Carlos is the best in history, and he doesn’t like the term “best.” Or Sergio Ramos as a centre-back… I’ve always been very calm about this because in football you don’t play alone. It’s the team.

“When you talk about my trophy haul, it’s Real Madrid. I was a Real Madrid employee. The title is ours, but you don’t win it alone. I can’t compare myself to anyone else or think I’m the best in history.”

Talking about him having to fill in the shoes of Roberto Carlos at the club, Marcelo commented: “I never thought about being better or worse, or trying to be like Roberto Carlos. I played my own style of football, which has always been very joyful, very happy…

“The same passion I had at the Bernabéu I have playing in my living room with my children. I give it my all and I don’t want to lose; it’s in my blood. I wasn’t worried about being the best, having more titles, more games…

“It’s clear that I achieved something great, like being captain of Real Madrid, but the important thing is that I enjoyed every moment. And I’m still enjoying it.”

Talking about how Carlos has helped him at every step, Marcelo remarked: “He helped me immensely in every way. I still talk to him, and when I see him, I get nervous. He doesn’t understand, but it’s true.

“He helped me a lot both on and off the field. I’m fortunate to have played with so many legends. Having Roberto as my idol made it much easier.”

Talking about how he approached his game and his understanding with fellow full-back Dani Carvajal at Real Madrid, he elaborated:

“The tactic was never very strict; for me, it’s fine if both full-backs are up front. Both center-backs and midfielders can be deep. It depends on your understanding of football. With Zidane, you saw both full-backs push forward.

“That didn’t mean I had to connect with Carvajal. Football is about surprises and interpretations. We can’t say we’re going to play a certain way and we’re going to win. Football is more than what we see between the lines.”

On the current Real Madrid team

On what he thought of Real Madrid’s attack-minded full-back signings from last summer, Alvaro Carreras and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Marcelo replied:

“I haven’t been watching much football lately, I only watch my sons’ matches, which is too much. I have to travel all over the place. I can hardly watch Real Madrid games. How do I see them? Good, if they’re playing for Real Madrid they must be playing well.”

Marcelo backed Alonso to succeed at Real Madrid. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Marcelo also spoke highly of new Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, saying: “He’s top-notch. You could already see on the field that he was a coach because he had a sense of space, of everything…”

On being asked for his thoughts on Alonso and his relationship with Vinicius Jr., and whether he felt that they had buried the hatchet after hugging each other on the field in a recent game, Marcelo stated:

“I don’t watch the games and I didn’t see the hug. I have no idea what’s going on. But Xabi is a great friend and a great coach. Both for what he’s done and what he’s doing at Real Madrid.”

Regarding the situations of his compatriots Vinicius and Rodrygo Goes, who have lost some prominence in the team under Alonso, the legendary left-back noted:

“As footballers they’re incredible, and even more so as people. I’ve watched them since they were 18, like Fede (Valverde) and Militao. I see them as truly great footballers.

“They’re no longer just promising talents. At Real Madrid and in Brazil there’s pressure; you have to produce every year. They’re fantastic and have a great future ahead of them.”

On whether he would always them if he were the manager, Marcelo replied: “It depends on who’s playing, yes. I’m not a coach. I would play them at the club, though.”

Talking about the team’s hopes of winning a title, he noted: “Real Madrid will always fight for titles. The fans get excited every year.”

Marcelo also had words of praise for in-form Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe, who is the highest-rated player in EA SPORTS FC, saying:

“He’s fantastic, amazing, a physical marvel. He’s incredibly talented, hardworking, a fighter, he scores goals… I really love him. I wanted to play with him, but he arrived a little too late.”

On his son, Ancelotti, Brazil and more

Marcelo is now seeing his son, Enzo Alves, grow at Real Madrid, with the young forward already making waves at La Fabrica.

“He’s only 16. There’s still a long way to go. What he’s doing is learning… He’s still very young,” said Marcelo.

Enzo is also shining for the Spanish youth national team. So when asked if he would continue for La Roja or choose Brazil later, he added:

“That’s his decision. The Spanish National Team has treated my wife, my son, and me wonderfully. They’re very fond of him. Enzo dreams of being a footballer; he’s on the right track. But he has to study, not just be a footballer.

“It’s different from what I went through, when I had to play football because that’s all there was. It’s different; he has a very strong upbringing. We are incredibly grateful to the Spanish National Team.”

Marcelo happy with Ancelotti as Brazil manager. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Speaking of Brazil, Marcelo also backed former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti to do well with the national team.

“I see the fans supporting him. Me too. He’s with my team and I hope they win. Ancelotti has a certain aura, watch out,” he said.

Praising the former Real Madrid boss’ style of management, he added: “No hardline approach… I like coaches like him. They talk. No hardline coaches.

“Footballers like calm, someone who knows how to communicate, who can lead the team in the locker room. No player likes a hardline coach.”

Marcelo also discussed some of his current favourite dribblers, naming Gabri of Real Madrid youth team as one to watch out.

“There’s a player now on Real Madrid’s Juvenil A team called Gabri. He’s top-notch, I like him. He’ll probably make the first team because he dribbles incredibly well, like Lamine, he’s got great ball control. And I also love Kvaratskhelia from PSG.”

He also had praise for Barcelona stars Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, as he said: “It would be a problem for me. Until my last day as a footballer, I never found a winger against me that I was better than.”

“They were always so fast… Lamine would have definitely dribbled past me.”

On Raphinha, he added: “Another great one. Although I don’t know the Ballon d’Or criteria… But Raphinha is very good and I hope everything goes perfectly and he wins the World Cup.”