Marcelo is a former player of Real Madrid
Real Madrid legend, Marcelo Vieira da Silva Junior, widely regarded as one of the greatest left-backs in the club’s history, officially announced his retirement from professional football on February 6, 2025.
The Brazilian defender spent 15 illustrious seasons with Los Blancos from 2007 to 2022 before brief stints with Olympiacos and his boyhood club, Fluminense. His retirement marks the end of a storied career that also included 58 appearances for the Brazilian national team.
Following his announcement, the football community rallied around him, with former and current Real Madrid teammates — such as Sergio Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo, and David Alaba — taking to social media to share heartfelt messages and fond memories of the beloved left-back.
Beyond his former teammates, fans worldwide are also paying tribute, sending well wishes as Marcelo embarks on a new chapter in his life.
Marcelo retires as one of the most decorated players in Real Madrid history, having won 31 major trophies, including six La Liga titles and five UEFA Champions League crowns.
Read some of the reactions below:
Marcelo, a wizard on the ball and a warrior on the pitch, leaves behind a legacy that will inspire forever.
— Iron Mind Steps (@IronMindSteps) February 6, 2025
What a player, what an entertainer, and what a career. Marcelo, the maverick of the left flank, a sorcerer with the ball at his feet. He danced, he dazzled, he dominated. A pillar of Real Madrid’s golden era, he departs as a legend, his legacy eternal. pic.twitter.com/8B5g5lJwZ2
— MyLifeMyViews (@myViews0026) February 6, 2025
Thank you, Marcelo ❤️
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) February 6, 2025
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