Real Madrid legend Marcelo announces retirement

Former Real Madrid and Brazil defender Marcelo has announced his retirement at the age of 36 in a video posted to social media on Thursday.

The left-back enjoyed one of football’s most successful careers in terms of trophy hauls, picking up five Champions League titles and six LaLiga triumphs over 19 years.

“My story as a player ends here but I still have much to give to football,” Marcelo said in the video that shows highlights of his illustrious career.

Marcelo also enjoyed trophy-laden spells in his home country with Fluminense, most notably helping them lift the Copa Libertadores in 2023 after leaving Madrid in the wake of their 2022 Champions League final success and a short spell at Greek side Olympiacos.

He left the Rio-based team in November 2024 after an argument with head coach Mano Menezes during a game against Gremio.

Marcelo first joined Real Madrid from Fluminense in January 2007 as an 18-year-old and spent 15½ seasons with the team, leaving the Bernabeu as the most decorated player in the club’s 120-year history with 25 trophies — though that mark has since been surpassed by Nacho, Luka Modric and Dani Carvajal. He played 546 games for Los Blancos, according to the team’s tribute on Instagram.

“One of the greatest left-backs in Real Madrid and world football history, and we had the privilege of watching him for a long time,” Madrid’s longtime president Florentino Pérez said of the news. “He is one of our greatest legends and Real Madrid is and always will be his home.”

Marcelo played 58 times for Brazil, scoring six goals. He never lifted a major international trophy though he was part of the squad that won the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup on home soil. He also won silver and bronze Olympic medals with the nation at the 2012 and 2008 Games, respectively.