Marcelo Contemplates His Real Madrid Legacy, the Experience of Playing Alongside Ronaldo, and His Son's Promising Journey
An 18-year-old hopeful flew from Rio de Janeiro to Spain’s capital in November 2006 with just one little luggage.
Later on, Marcelo would go down in Real Madrid history. He has won 25 trophies, including five Champions League crowns, over 16 years with the team he left last summer, making him the most accomplished player in the club’s history at the age of 34.
There is no one better to direct the football career of Enzo, 13, Marcelo’s oldest kid and one of the most promising ᴘʀᴏsᴘᴇᴄᴛs in Madrid’s youth academy, thanks to his personal and professional expertise.
After finishing a brief stint with Olympiacos in February and joining with Fluminense, the Brazilian club where his career began, Marcelo is currently playing for two different teams.
The Athletic brought father and son together for an interview at Madrid’s Valdebebas training facility before he makes a lyrical homecoming to his hometown team.
They both have a significant presence there. Marcelo frequents the club, and there is still a poster of the full-back with the word “fantasy” on it up in the facilities. Enzo plays up front for the ‘Infantil A’ under-14 squad.
It’s only fitting that we begin with Marcelo reflecting on his first few days in Madrid.
Marcelo: I wasn’t precisely sure what I was coming for, so I was very ᴀɴxɪᴏᴜs. I only brought a PC with me.
When I realized I didn’t have to return to Brazil, they said it was preferable for me to sign the contract after all. They told me it was so I could get to know the training facility and the stadium. I came here intending to view the stadium, but instead I signed the most important document of my life.
Only in video games or on TV had I ever seen the players. I had the impression that the so-called Los Galacticos didn’t actually exist and that I would never be able to locate them. And, to be honest, it came as a sʜᴏᴄᴋ. I informed my family and friends after I left that place, “I’ve seen this one, this one, this one, and all of them.” They chuckled. I also laughed. I eventually adapted to it.
What words of wisdom would you impart to young Marcelo?
Sincerely, Marcelo, I don’t think I would say anything. There were many excellent players present when I first arrived. Not simply in terms of their quality, but also as individuals. I was aware that if I set an example like that, I could achieve success in football.
Sergio Ramos was only two years older than me, but despite that, he was already a captain. Michel Salgado, David Beckham, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Roberto Carlos Michel actually gave me a lot of assistance when I arrived.
I had both excellent and poor examples, and I choose the latter.
How did it feel to set a good example for the children?
I’ve always taken things extremely lightly, Marcelo. It’s not the same as speaking with a psychologist, I laugh. I always ‘bothered’ Eder Militao, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga when he arrived, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, all the kids, Dani Ceballos, Marco Asensio, Dani Carvajal, and Nacho (Fernandez), who showed up a little later.
I don’t talk for ten minutes at a time, but when I can help, like after a game when you play poorly and get whistled, which is totally normal, or when you miss a goal or score an own goal, the captain’s job kicks in. When I was 23, I became one of the captains, and I had to pick things up pretty quickly.
Is there a scenario where your intervention proved to be crucial for a young player?
Marcelo: A number of (pauses)… therefore, I won’t tell you (laughs).
Which do you consider to be your best memory from Madrid?
Marcelo: My farewell, or final day at Real Madrid, was a significant one. The best moment was when the Santiago Bernabeu crowd was chanting “Marcelo, stay!” They joked about it, which was fine with me because they knew I wasn’t going to remain.
I had the impression that my schoolwork was finished as I left. I mentioned in my very first interview that I ᴡᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ to come to this place and help win championships, and I departed as the player with the most championships. To depart with this honor is a wonderful sᴛʀᴏᴋᴇ of luck, but if someone passes me, I’ll be happy because Madrid will keep winning. You don’t come in and declare that you’re going to win and have the most titles when you first arrive.
I’m not sure if other teams have ever pursued me, but if they had when I was still a Real Madrid player, I would not have gone because I always yearned to play for Madrid.
Now that I’m back, I can feel how much everyone here cares, including the referees, players, wait staff, security personnel, and medical professionals. It’s similar like leaving your pals behind after thinking you’ve moved schools only to run into them again.
At Madrid, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo had a tight bond, and the two frequently shared films on social media.
Marcelo: There are numerous films of Cris and I cracking jokes in the gym, the “Siuuuh!” celebration, and other antics, but Sergio (Ramos), Casemiro, Luka (Modric), Karim (Benzema), and others stand out. I have a lot of football friends. Of course, Cristiano and the celebration were always the focus, and that is totally acceptable, but I also have other friends with whom I engage in activities that are unrelated to football.
After discussing Ronaldo, it only seems sense to discuss how to deal with Lionel Messi.
Marcelo: Messi is amazing; he’s the hardest opponent I’ve ever played against. Even at 35 years old, his quality is well known, and it was always the same. One of the best games to watch and play has always been El Clasico. I had the good fortune to play in one of the best Clasico eras. However, Messi wasn’t the only outstanding player; there were a number of others as well.
Why did you choose to visit Fluminense again? What goals do you have for the change?
The most beautiful thing for me is to go back to my hometown and support the team that helped me become a football player and set me up for my career with Real Madrid and Brazil (he played 58 times for the Brazilian team between 2006 and 2018).
I’m returning home, not just to Fluminense but also to Rio de Janeiro, so the emotion is great. I’m already really excited about the ᴘʀᴏsᴘᴇᴄᴛ of donning that jersey once more, and I’m looking forward to competing in the Copa Libertadores, which is South America’s version of the Champions League. I’d really like to go there and support Fluminense in their quest to win the Libertadores and go to a final.
Is this your last football play?
Marcelo: I don’t know what might happen, but I still intend to play for a very long time. However, if I must call it quits, let it be at Fluminense. For their affection and all the things they have done to assist me since I was a boy. It is utter and complete gratitude. I’m grateful to Fluminense a lot.
Will Real Madrid ever welcome you back?
Marcelo: Since I have a lot of responsibilities and don’t anticipate having much time to spend on the field, I am very clear about what I intend to do after I retire from football.
Madrid might be useful to me, but I’m not in a rush to find out. I call Real Madrid my home. Real Madrid is always with me, and I am always with Real Madrid.
Enzo, Marcelo’s son, shows up right out of school. In December 2022, he got his first professional deal after joining La Fabrica in 2017. It is evident from away that he has a close bond with his father.
When Enzo sᴀʏs that his earliest recollection is from the 2013 Confederations Cup, when his father’s Brazil team defeated Spain 3-0 at the Maracana, it is clear that he was raised in a pure football environment.
Enzo: I visited the field, and there is a picture of us with the trophy and Neymar. I remember playing with David Luiz while playing with the other players.
How does it feel to be the son of Marcelo?
Enzo: Everyday at home. I experience the same love. Nothing alters in the locker room with my teammates; they continue to treat me the same. I cannot unwind; I must continue working in the same manner.
How is your daily life going?
Enzo: After getting up and going to school, I immediately start my workout. I keep working on my academics as well. To avoid falling behind, I make an effort to study during my free time. I occasionally practice outside of Valdebebas with my father, who assists me.
What are the top three goals you want to achieve?
Enzo: The goal I have set for myself is to join Real Madrid’s first team and play. Winning the World Cup is the second goal. The third is to keep outperforming my father in FIFA.
Enzo has now scored 101 goals in 99 games while wearing white after last Saturday’s hat-trick of three goals in six minutes. The (very) young striker notes that the key to these statistics is to implement what he learns in practice—and, of course, from his father’s attacking prowess, despite the ꜰᴀᴄᴛ that he plays defense—in games.
Enzo, who is remarkably composed in front of the cameras, discusses his role models as we come to a close.
Karim Benzema is a striker I’ve admired since I was a youngster; I’ve always spent a lot of time watching him play and I adore his style. Ronaldo Nazario is a very good example of someone I watch a lot because he had the ability to score goals and evade the goalkeeper, and I find that fascinating. It’s amazing.
Other than my father, that is. And the thing I’m most proud of about him is that he gets the same treatment everywhere we go. He is modest and doesn’t alter his behavior around anyone.
