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 final in Paris ( Image: Ricardo Rubio/Europa Press via Getty Images) The left-back has said of his impending exit: "I don't feel like a legend. I am a person that enjoys every moment. I had the luck of being captain and lifting the cup before my goodbye. Already the last match was a mini-goodbye but now I can't say goodbye better than with my fifth Champions League. It has closed a beautiful cycle." The Brazilian has been second choice behind Ferland Mendy in the pecking order for the left-back position this campaign yet has remained an inspirational figure on the sidelines. Indeed, Madrid boss Ancelotti has regularly consulted Marcelo when pondering what decisions to make during matches. Upon his signing in January 2007, then-Madrid club president Ramon Calderon said: "He is an important signing for us. He is a young player who will inject some freshness into the side and is part of our plan to bring younger players into the squad. We're very happy because he's a pearl that half of Europe wanted." Marcelo then grew into the long-term successor to another Brazilian club legend, Roberto Carlos, in the position for over a decade, helping Real Madrid – for whom he made 546 first-team appearances - to plenty of success domestically and in Europe. Read More Read More
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