Marcelo

MARCELO(VICE-CAPTAIN)

Real Madrid

Marcelo joined Real Madrid during the January transfer window in 2007. On his arrival, club president Ramón Calderón said, "He is an important signing for us. He is a young player who will inject some freshness into the side and is part of our plan to bring younger players into the squad. We're very happy because he's a pearl that half of Europe wanted." Many spectators hailed him as Roberto Carlos' potential successor in the left-back role.

Marcelo made his debut as a substitute in the 2–0 defeat against Deportivo La Coruña on 7 January 2007. On 14 April 2007, then coach Fabio Capello gave Marcelo his first start for Real Madrid against Racing de Santander. Real Madrid controversially lost the game 2–1. In the 2007–08 season, Marcelo had started nearly all of Madrid's league games under the new manager Bernd Schuster. His ability, speed running across the field, attack, and defence had enabled him to become a very important player for Real Madrid.

After a string of poor performances in 2009, Marcelo found himself on the bench for much of the remaining season while under new manager Juande Ramos, mainly as deputy to the more defensive minded Gabriel Heinze. Juande Ramos deployed Marcelo as a winger on more than one occasion, and the Brazilian adapted well to his new role. He scored his first goal after receiving a heel flick from striker Gonzalo Higuaín and slotting the ball past the goalkeeper in Real Madrid's 4–0 thumping ofSporting de Gijón. After the game, coach Ramos declared that Marcelo's future would be positioned as a winger, but will push back to defense when required. Marcelo scored his second goal for Real Madrid in a victory over Almeria, a powerful strike from outside of the box with his weaker right foot.

On 18 April 2009 he scored his third goal of his Real Madrid career, when he scored the only goal of the game against Recreativo de Huelva away from home. He scored his fourth goal against Sevilla FC at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán in April 2009.

2009–2010 season

Under the next head coach Manuel Pellegrini, Marcelo consistently featured in the starting eleven for his versatility and pace along the left flank in offensive and defensive roles. He continued to be employed as a left-winger under Pellegrini, and reached the top of the assist charts of La Liga in the 2009–10 season. He admitted in a press conference at the end of 2009, "I now feel better playing as a winger."  His successful performance in Madrid's 2009/2010 campaign earned him a contract extension on 5 February 2010 with the club until June 2015.This season proved to be his break-through season at the club.

Marcelo during 2009–10 season

Breakthrough season 2010–2011

In the 2010–11 season under coach José Mourinho, Marcelo was back in his natural position of left back. He has started all league games, paying back the coach's confidence in him with defensive steel and attacking intent and gained the coach's admiration. On 25 November 2010, Marcelo was named as a part of the 55 player shortlist for the FIFA World XI. He scored his first goal of the new season in a 1–0 win against Espanyol on 13 February. He had a terrific match against Lyon in the Champions League. Showing his attacking flair and defensive skills, he opened the scoring with his first ever UEFA Champions League goal and assisted Benzema's goal, at the end he was named man of the match, of which Real went on to win 3–0, and progressed to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2004. Marcelo then continued his fine season by scoring in the 2nd leg against Barca in Camp Nou. The game ended 1–1. Marcelo's successful campaign in the UEFA Champions League has earned him a starting spot in UEFAs starting XI. Marcelo was heavily praised by the worldwide media this season, and many called him the best left back in the world. Maradona said he was the third best player in La Liga, after Ronaldo and Messi.

2011–2012 season

Marcelo was sent off on 17 August 2011 at Madrids 3–2 loss to Barcelona. On 3 December 2011, Marcelo scored Madrid's third goal in a 0–3 defeat of Sporting de Gijón in the La Liga.

Paolo Maldini gave credits to Marcelo and called him the current left back, "who is a great attacker and a defender, a specialist of both areas".