Since Marcelo vieira arrived at Real Madrid in January 2007 from Fluminense, his name has been linked to that of his compatriot Roberto Carlos. Brazilians, left wingers and with great offensive projection, although with very different characteristics in their influence in attack. It was the mirror to look at, and this Sunday he equaled him as the second foreigner with the most games in the history of the Real Madrid (527).
Ahead in this historic classification is only the French Karim
Benzema with 556, a figure that, if injuries respect him, will continue to increase in the future, while this may not be the case for Marcelo.
The Brazilian has definitely lost his place in favor of the French Ferland mendy, who already in the middle of last season showed why Zinedine Zidane and the Real Madrid they noticed him. This Sunday against him Seville (2-2), the Frenchman could not enter the call and allowed Marcelo to equalize Roberto Carlos In a season that is not being easy as it is on the way to being the one in which the least games have participated since his arrival at the Whites (6 games).
A circumstance that was already presaged last summer, but the departure of Sergio Reguilon heading to Tottenham Hotspur after his year loaned, precisely, in the Seville, which earned him to be called up by the Spanish team, opened the doors for him to be the natural replacement on the left side.
And to that has been reduced his role for one of the captains of the Real Madrid and club legend, with which he has won five Leagues, four Champions Leagues, four Club World Cups, two King's Cups, three Super Cups of Europe and four Spanish Super Cups.
At 32 years old -turns 33 this May 12-, his best version has been when Zidane He has chosen to go out with a defense of three and the Brazilian as a lane; position in which he can exploit his great offensive virtues despite lacking that spark of yesteryear.
Marcelo, captain this Sunday in the absence of Sergio Ramos, matches in numbers of parties a legacy that seemed unattainable when it reached the Real Madrid while Roberto Carlos he was rushing his last six months at the club. A time in which, as it was learned years later, Roberto Carlos It was key so that Marcelo did not leave the club on loan, acting as godfather of the call to be his ‘substitute’.
In addition, their relationship was strengthened again in 2016 when Roberto Carlos He became an ambassador for the club, a time that he took advantage of so that Marcelo could reach his best version.
“I put in the head of Marcelo that he could be the best left-back today, “acknowledged the former Madrid player in an interview with FIFA on April 21, 2020.
Of course, Marcelo could not celebrate as he would like a historic day for his sports career with him Real Madrid. First by the tie to two that prevented them from placing leaders of The league
Santander and also because it was replaced by Miguel Gutierrez, the youth squad called to take his place in the future, in the 65th minute of the game.
A change that could have been due to muscle problems dragged from the first half in an effort to reach a ball, as he climbed into the stands with a disgruntled gesture, pulling his coat to the adjoining seat and the physio applied a bandage to his right leg .