Marcelo's life at Real Madrid between Mou and Zizou
Reading Time: 4min | Tue. 11.02.25. | 15:21
In his first post-retirement interview, Los Blancos legend revealed what advice he got from Mourinho and Zidane, which teammates impressed him the most, as well as his plans for the future
One of the best left-backs in the 21st century and a Real Madrid legend, Marcelo recently decided to call it a day and hang up the boots after 19 years of active playing. Los Blancos arranged him a proper farewell before their La Liga clash against city rivals Atletico, showing him the utmost appreciation for everything he had done in the white jersey.
The Brazilian had enough time to "organize his thoughts" and gave his first interview as a retired player to the journalist Pablo Motos and his show "El Hormiguero" on the Spanish TV station Antena 3.
"I have been able to do everything I wanted in football, I have not had a serious injury, I have played for the best club in the world, but there comes a time when you need different things and new challenges. When I think about getting up, looking after myself, not drinking my beer, not going out at night... there comes a time when you have to live," stated Marcelo via Relevo.
Apart from running a player agency in Brazil, the 36-year-old revealed some quite interesting hobbies he would like to pursue now that he has more free time.
"I want to help people who make art, go to galleries in Malasana. Be close to people who are painting a wall. See what I can help with. I really want to produce songs. Make the beat. Tell an artist 'I have this beat for you, let's see if it fits into one of your lyrics'," said the former defender, disclosing his artistic side.
Numerous former players from Marcelo's generation are switching to coaching jobs, but the Brazilian won't become one of them.
"Madrid will always be my home. I'll probably be at Real Madrid one day. However, it won't be as a coach. My wife tells me that I look like a coach, but for children. I don't see myself," admitted he.
Speaking of managers, Marcelo specifically recalled his cooperation with two of his former Real Madrid gaffers - Jose Mourinho and Zinedine Zidane, whom he claimed were utterly different.
"Mourinho taught me to be more aggressive. I always wanted to be with the ball and he taught me that to be with the ball I had to steal it first. He would tell me: 'You don't know how to defend'. I would get angry. 'I'm going to teach you', he would reply."
🗣 Marcelo: "Zidane understood the players very well. He gave me a lot of happiness. I'm a Zizou lover, as a person and as a player. He helped me a lot. He gave me a lot of freedom on the pitch. He used to tell me 'Look Marcelo, you go up, Casemiro has your back'." @El_Hormiguero pic.twitter.com/FVJZFKxw0D
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) February 10, 2025
The Frenchman was (expectedly) more keen on offense.
"Marcelin, you go forward, Casemiro has your back," Zidane would say.
As a Madrid player and a five-time Champions League winner, Marcelo had a chance to play with numerous outstanding teammates. Still, he highlighted three names.
"Isco has been the player who has surprised me the most. He said 'they're not going to take the ball away from me in training today'. And it was hard to take it away from him, eh. He, along with Toni Kroos and Luca Modric, have been the ones who have impressed me the most," said he.
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Finally, many found it intriguing that Madrid's former #12 invited all the club employees to his farewell party. For Marcelo, it's nothing unusual, which only proves what kind of person he is.
"Whenever I went to training I saw the kit man, the security guard, the cleaners. I saw them as normal workers. When I left Madrid I invited them all. They told me that no one had ever done that. They are the ones who put me through my paces every day, the ones I share my day to day with, how could I not invite them," Marcelo concluded.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - PLAYOFFS
Tuesday
20.45: (7.75) Brest (4.80) PSG (1.40)
23.00: (1.92) Juventus (3.45) PSV (4.10)
23.00: (2.35) Man.City (3.50) Real Madrid (2.90)
23.00: (2.25) Sporting (3.45) Dortmund (3.15)
Wednesday
20.45: (3.60) Club Brugge (3.40) Atalanta (2.10)
23.00: (7.75) Celtic (4.80) Bayern (1.40)
23.00: (2.95) Feyenoord (3.45) Milan (2.35)
23.00: (2.35) Monaco (3.45) Benfica (2.95)
***odds are subject to change***
