MADRID —
Marcelo said an emotional goodbye
to
Real Madrid on Monday as the most decorated player in the club’s history but
insisted he has no plans to retire.
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The 34-year-old has spent 15 years at the
Santiago Bernabeu and will be a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the
month.
Marcelo won 25 trophies at Real Madrid, including
five Champions League, six La Liga and two Copa del Rey titles.
Among those attending a farewell ceremony in
Valdebebas were Marcelo’s teammates, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, as
well as Carlo Ancelotti and Raul, who is currently in charge of the club’s B
team.
“When I signed for Madrid, in my head I thought I
could reach the top, and here I am the player with the most titles in its
history,” said Marcelo who broke down in tears.
“It’s not goodbye, I don’t feel like I’m leaving Madrid.
If you don’t give me a ticket, there will be trouble,” he joked.
Marcelo said he would have no problem playing
against Real Madrid in the future, keeping open the possibility he will join
another team in Europe.
“I haven’t
thought about retiring, I think I can still play,” he said. “I don’t think
playing against Madrid will be a problem, I couldn’t have done any more. I’m
very professional.”
Marcelo collected his fifth
Champions League title
last month as Real Madrid defeated Liverpool in Paris to win a 14th European
Cup.
But he did not play in the final, with Ancelotti
favoring Ferland Mendy at left-back for Madrid’s biggest games last season.
Marcelo made only five starts in La Liga.
“This season I’ve hardly played but I have felt
useful even without playing. I felt a responsibility,” Marcelo said. “Sometimes
I would be furious with Ancelotti and then the next day we were sharing kisses
and hugs.”
Marcelo joined Real Madrid in 2007 and made 545
appearances for the club in all competitions. He scored against
Atletico Madrid
in the 2014 Champions League final to make it 3–1 in extra-time, as Real Madrid
won 4-1 in Lisbon.
“You are irreplaceable,” said Perez. “You should be
proud of your brilliant career.”
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