Brazilian left-back Marcelo Vieira da Silva announced his retirement from football after a successful career at the age of 36.
Marcelo, one of the most decorated players in history, made 58 appearances for Brazil. He came through the ranks of the Brazilian club Fluminense and joined Real Madrid at the age of 18 in 2007.
In 15 years in Spain, he won 25 major titles, including five Champions League and six La Liga.
“At 18, Real Madrid knocked on my door and I arrived here. Now, I can proudly say that I am a true Madrileno,” Marcelo said in a video on his Instagram account on Thursday.
“Sixteen seasons, 25 titles, five Champions Leagues, one of the captains and so many magical nights at the Bernabeu. What a journey!
“My journey as a player ends here, but I still have so much to give to football. Thank you for everything.”
Marcelo was named club captain in 2021, making him the first non-Spaniard to wear the armband in 117 years.
He left Madrid at the end of the 2021-22 season to join Greek club Olympiacos, but terminated his contract only five months later.
Marcelo returned to his boyhood club Fluminense in 2023, where he played 68 games over two seasons.
The full-back left by mutual consent last November after a public spat with manager Mano Menezes.
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