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Thursday, February 06, 2025
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Marcelo retires at age 36 to end trophy-filled career

publish time

06/02/2025

publish time

06/02/2025

In this file photo, Real Madrid's Marcelo controls the ball during a training session ahead of Wednesday's Champions League first-leg quarterfinal soccer match between Chelsea and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge stadium in London. (AP )

MADRID, Feb 6, (AP): Marcelo, the former Real Madrid and Brazil left-back, announced his retirement on Thursday at the age of 36.

In a video on X, Marcelo said: "My journey as a player ends here, but I still have so much to give to football. Thank you for everything.”

An attacking left back, Marcelo had one of the most trophy-filled careers in soccer history, thanks to his time at Madrid from 2007 to 22 and his return to his boyhood Brazilian club, Fluminense, from 2023 to 24.

At Madrid, he won the Champions League five times, the Spanish League six times, and 25 titles in total.

"Marcelo is part of the history of Real Madrid and is one of the great legends of our club and world football,” Madrid said.

Marcelo made the jump to Europe in 2006 when the Spanish powerhouse was in a slump. He went on to help Madrid forge one of the most successful periods in its history by flourishing in joining the attack in the spaces created by Cristiano Ronaldo on the left flank.

He made 546 appearances in 16 seasons before leaving the all-whites in 2022 after lifting his fifth European Cup. At that time, he had the most titles in club history. He has since been overtaken by Luka Modric and Nacho Fernández with 26 each.

After a brief spell with Olympiakos in Greece, Marcelo moved back to Fluminense - where he started his career - and won the Copa Libertadores.

Marcelo also represented Brazil at the World Cups in 2014 and 2018 and won Olympic medals in 2008 (bronze) and 2012 (silver).