“It’s not a goodbye, I don’t feel like I’m leaving Real Madrid”
MADRID, 13 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Brazilian defender Marcelo Vieira said goodbye this Monday between tears of Real Madrid, “the best club in the world” and where he has played for the last 16 years, with a special thanks to Raúl González, his “example to follow” as captain, and He has assured that his departure does not “scare” him because “it is not a goodbye”, since he “does not” feel that he is leaving the club.
“I want to thank you for being very nice to me when I arrived. When my son Enzo was born, you taught me a lot as a captain. From then on I began to see you as a captain and as an example. In football we have many examples, and I wanted to follow the I want to thank you for having had a very beautiful and very strong example, which has been you,” he said at the tribute and farewell ceremony at Real Madrid City.
The former Whites’ player, who interrupted his speech on several occasions due to emotion, also remembered all those who have made his long stay with the Madrid team possible. “I wanted to thank the club, my teammates, with whom I have been lucky enough to play for all these years, the coaches, the kit men, who are like family, the people who work in the residence, the security, to those who do the dirty work… We only dedicate ourselves to playing football, but to play well, to have clean clothes and boots, there is a job behind it”, he said.
“Thanks to Real Madrid, the best club in the world, for being able to enjoy this. We are doing what we like and we have everything to enjoy. I have woken up every day of my life with joy and today could not be any different; I have played in the best club in the world, I have made history with him, and I have made my children see that I was capable of playing in the best club in the world”, he continued.
In addition, he had some special words of affection towards his wife, Clarice. “I also want to thank my wife, who has been by my side since I began my life as a footballer. She has given me two wonderful children; I have more children: dogs, a turtle, a cat, a zoo,” he joked. “We have raised a family together, and if I am who I am today and if I have the strength that I have, it is because of you, Clarice,” he added.
On the other hand, the Brazilian explained that when he left Brazil he had “in mind to play in a big team in Europe and play in the ‘Champions'”. “When I signed for Real Madrid at the age of 18, in my head I thought I could reach the top, and today I leave here the player who has won the most titles in the history of the best club in the world”, he stated.
“I am very happy, I leave here with my head held high. People are very proud of me, I am lucky. Everything I have achieved has been with work, with talent, but I have also been very lucky that many people have helped. It’s not a goodbye, because I don’t feel like I’m leaving Madrid. If one day you don’t give me a ticket, you’re going to have a problem,” he said with a laugh.
Finally, Marcelo showed his optimism with the coming years of the Madrid team. “When I said at the Bernabéu that we can rest easy with the future of Madrid, it was true, the future of Madrid is very promising, as it has always been. I have come here as a child and I am leaving as a man,” he concluded.
“THE LAST WAS THE ‘CHAMPIONS’ FINAL IN WHICH I FELT THE MOST IMPORTANT”
Real Madrid’s Director of Institutional Relations, Emilio Butragueño, who accompanied Marcelo at the subsequent press conference, acknowledged that it has been “an honor” to have met and had the Brazilian. “You are one of the great legends of Real Madrid, the player who has won the most titles in the club’s history. This is and always will be your home,” he assured.
After that, the winger spoke again to ensure that this has been his “happiest” day as a Real Madrid player. “I’ve done everything I had to do and I’m leaving very happy. I’m leaving a legacy. Seeing young people playing is priceless. Today is the happiest day,” he said. “I feel like a Real Madrid youth squad,” he said emphatically.
“I have played much longer than I have not played. I have found special and good coaches, I have not been injured much… Each coach has his philosophy. This season I have not played almost anything, but I have seen that I have been very useful not playing a lot. I get very angry with Ancelotti, but the next day we’re giving each other kisses and hugs. The important thing is to team up; I wanted to play much more, but I’ve seen my teammates win a cup, feeling useful even if I didn’t play in the final”, he confessed.
In addition, he confessed that he felt very important in achieving the last Champions League. “I’ve won five ‘Champions’, I’ve played the first four and not the last, but this was the final in which I felt the most important. I had a five-minute talk with Rodrygo on the bench, who looked at me scared, and with Militao and Valverde before the game. It’s very nice to score a goal or give an assist, but the most beautiful thing was the talk with the kids, when there were five minutes left in the game and we were all hugging each other, even though he didn’t touch the ball. This is the legacy that I want to leave. I want young people to understand that everything is possible,” he declared.
However, he explained that he does not think about what he will do in the future. “I don’t think much about the future, I live for the moment. It’s hard to leave the club of your life, after so much training, suffering, injuries, giving everything for the club… I would do the same, I would train again in pain. Wearing this T-shirt is something very nice. The future doesn’t scare me. The story is already written, I’m very happy with myself,” he said.
“I haven’t thought about retiring, I think I can still play well. Because of the love I have for Madrid, there won’t be any problem facing Real Madrid. Real Madrid has taught me to be very professional,” he explained. “I’m prepared for what’s coming. I’m professional, I’m happy. I’m leaving, but I don’t feel like I’m leaving here. In life there are many problems, but you have to try to smile,” he continued, and stated that his departure was “consensual.” .
In this sense, he was quite convinced that he will not end up on the bench. “I don’t think I have the capacity to train; I’ve never understood tactics very well. I don’t think I’m a coach. I can study, but I won’t have the same desire to be a footballer as I did,” he confessed.
Regarding the comparisons with another historic Madrid side like Roberto Carlos, Marcelo believes that his compatriot was the best in history. “I never wanted to be the substitute for Roberto Carlos. Each player has his story, and for me there has never been a full-back like Roberto. My name is Marcelo and I am making my story,” he said.