Real Madrid confirm Marcelo leaving this summer on free transfer as legend departs after 15 years and 25 trophies
REAL MADRID have finally confirmed that legendary left-back Marcelo is leaving the club. The 34-year-old's contract runs out this month and he has decided to seek a new challenge elsewhere after 15 years at the club. 1 Real Madrid have confirmed that Marcelo is leaving the club after 15 glorious yearsCredit: Rex And the Brazilian is set to get a stunning send-off after helping them to the domestic title and Champions League glory this term. A statement from the club said: “Real Madrid CF announces that tomorrow, Monday, June 13, at 1:00 p.m., an institutional act of homage and farewell to our captain Marcelo will take place at Real Madrid City, with the presence of our president Florentino Perez. “Following this act, Marcelo will appear before the media in the press room at Real Madrid City.” After beating Liverpool 1-0 last month, the South American revealed: “It was my last game with Real Madrid.” Since joining from Fluminense in 2007, Marcelo has won a staggering 25 trophies. Those include five Champions League titles, six La Liga titles, and four Club World Cups. However, last season Marcelo’s role became less vital as he was mainly used as sub. He was dropped in favour of Ferland Mendy for most of the campaign. FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS Marcelo managed less than 900 minutes of football from his 17 appearances all term. Despite that, he was still over the moon to finish his time there with more Euro glory after taking over the captaincy from Sergio Ramos. He said: “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. “I tell you one thing, the future of Madrid is very good with the young players. Hala Madrid!”
Cristiano Ronaldo snub highlights Real Madrid's regard for Marcelo's emotional send-off
A special press conference has been set up by Real Madrid for their outgoing club captain Marcelo in a sign of the high regard in which he is held in the Spanish capital Marcelo waved goodbye to Real Madrid fans during Sunday's celebrations ( Image: Alvaro Medranda/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) Real Madrid will pay tribute to Marcelo in a special event on Monday afternoon in an honour that was not given to multiple club legends, including Cristiano Ronaldo. Los Blancos defeated Liverpool in the Champions League final in late May to cap a memorable season for Carlo Ancelotti's side. The success came within a month of Real Madrid securing their 35th La Liga title with four rounds of action remaining as they cantered to domestic glory. Marcelo said his goodbyes to the club after it was confirmed he was leaving this summer at the end of his contract. The veteran Brazilian has spent 16 years at the Santiago Bernabeu and, while it had been anticipated that he will return to his native Brazil, no future move has yet been confirmed. It is understood that Turkish giants Fenerbahce, now coached by Jorge Jesus, are also interested in a move. Clubs from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar are also thought to be monitoring a switch. He will sit alongside club president Florentino Perez at a press conference organised by the club at midday on Monday, with all 25 trophies he won – a club record – present as a symbolic gesture of thanks. This was not afforded to Ronaldo upon his exit in 2018, despite netting a scarcely-believable 450 goals in 438 matches for the club – 127 more goals than previous club top scorer Raul Gonzalez. Ronaldo won four Champions League titles during his time in the Spanish capital but was sold to Juventus after his relationship with the club hierarchy became fractured. There was no official goodbye press conference for the Portuguese player, whose last moment in a Real Madrid shirt was in the celebrations of the aftermath of the 2018 Champions League final – when he gave a speech praising the club and his teammates, but not confirming his exit. Marcelo’s glittering career in the Spanish capital saw him win 25 trophies – more than any other player in the club’s history after he surpassed the previous record held by club legend Paco Gento, who won 23 trophies with Los Blancos. Not only did Marcelo break the record, he also became the first non-Spanish player to captain Real Madrid to the league title and the Champions League crown. The Brazilian assumed the leadership role at the start of the season after Sergio Ramos left to join Paris Saint-Germain. Have Your Say! Should a Premier League club look to sign Marcelo this summer? Tell us what you think here. Marcelo and Karim Benzema showing off the Champions League trophy after the
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