Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has exemplified Marcelo Vieira after the latter departed Real Madrid, bringing to an end 546 appearances for the Spanish league giants in grand style.
Marcelo signed for Real Madrid from Fluminense in 2007 and amassed a total of 25 trophies with Los Blancos to decorate his career with glamour.
Ronaldo eulogised the player as a teammate, who he said is a brother and added that their relationship spans beyond the field of play.
According to the Portuguese, who shared the same locker room with Marcelo, the Brazilian is one of the biggest stars he was happy to meet during his era at the Santiago Bernabeu.
He said, “More than a teammate, a brother that football gave me. On and off the fields, one of the biggest stars with whom I had the pleasure of sharing a locker room. Go with everything on this new adventure, Marcelo.”
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Meanwhile, Real Madrid have wished Marcelo a farewell after a 16-year spell at the club came to an end in June 2022.
In a statement by the club’s president, Florentino Perez, he stressed that Real Madrid are profoundly grateful for all that Marcelo, who rose to the rank of the captain, did for the club.
Perez’s statement read in part: “We Madridistas are indebted to you for dedicating your heart and soul to every game. For that Brazilian talent and quality that have made you a unique player.
“For the way you are on the pitch and also in life. Your fantasy and your happiness were always crucial for the team in achieving all its great success,” he added.
However, the elated Marcelo thanked everyone in the club for allowing him to excel and share in the club’s successes.
“We do what we love and we’ve got everything we need to be able to enjoy it. I’ve made history at the best club in the world and I want to thank everyone who forms part of it,” he said.
