Footballer Marcelo and Real Madrid bid a tearful farewell today after a 16-year relationship and a record 25 titles that make the Brazilian the most decorated player in merengue history.
“I want to thank the best club in the world for the opportunity to enjoy this. We do what we like and we have everything to have fun. Every day of my life I wake up with the joy of being in the best club in the world. “I’m making history. Let my children see that I was able to play in the best place,” said the 34-year-old athlete.
Surrounded by his family, president Florentino Perez, coach Carlo Ancelotti and several teammates, Marcelo thanked “everyone” who was “family”, not forgetting those who did the behind-the-scenes work that allows athletes to play football for Real Madrid ” will succeed, leaving a special message for his wife afterwards.
“We started a family together, and if I am who I am and have the strength today, it is, of course, thanks to you, Clarice. 18 years for a wonderful adventure, I thought I could rise high and leave here as the player who has won the most titles in the history of the best club in the world,” he rejoiced.
At the ceremony, a video was shown of his achievements, unforgettable goals, wonderful games, moments of memory for Real Madrid and Marcelo, “proud” of the image he leaves in football and the club.
“It’s not a sad day, it’s a happy day. We cried from emotion and memory. I leave with my head held high, my family is very proud of me. I was lucky, I achieved everything through hard work, talent, and I was lucky that my people were next to me. I look at the titles and see that I did what I had to do,” he said.
Florentino Perez praised the “fantasy and happiness” that accompanied Marcelo during his 16 years at the Merengues, praising the “unique footballer” who realized “all his dreams” and became a foreign player after spending more seasons at home.
“This will be a day full of emotions for Real Madrid, a moment of deep gratitude, a special day full of unforgettable memories. We pay tribute to our great captain, a young man who became a man at the Bernabeu. , the player he became became one of our greatest legends, Marcelo, who has the most titles in the history of Real Madrid, he praised.
Marcelo has won five Champions Leagues, four Club World Cups, three European Super Cups, six Spanish Championships, two Copa del Reys and five Spanish Super Cups.
“You are within reach of only the exceptional players born to feed the myth of this club. You will always be an excellent reference point for everyone who loves this sport, and an excellent example for children,” the director emphasized.
In addition to these titles, Marcelo, who made 546 appearances and scored 38 goals for Real Madrid, was included in the FIFA World Cup XI six times and was named in the UEFA Team of the Year three times.