Real Madrid legend confirms retirement from professional football | OneFootball

Former Real Madrid left-back Marcelo has announced his retirement from professional football.

The 36-year-old earned a reputation as one of the greatest left-backs of all time during his 15-year spell with Madrid, which began all the way back in 2007 when the La Liga giants recruited him from Fluminense.

During his time in Spain, Marcelo racked up an enormous 546 appearances for the club in all competitions, becoming the club's first foreign captain in over 100 years as he won enough trophies to become Madrid's most successful player of all time.

Marcelo departed Madrid in 2022 with no fewer than 25 trophies in his cabinet - six LaLiga titles, five Champions Leagues, two Copas del Rey, five Spanish Supercopas, three UEFA Super Cups and four Club World Cups.

"At 18, Real Madrid knocked on my door and I arrived here," Marcelo said in a video on social media. "Now, I can proudly say that I am a true madrileno. Here, alongside my wife, I have built a family.

"16 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."

After leaving Madrid in 2022, Marcelo took his talents to Greek side Olympiacos, but he would last less than a year before making his emotional return to boyhood side Fluminense, where he helped the club win the Copa Libertadores before departing in November 2024.