Real Madrid captain Marcelo has revealed that when his contract ends at the end of June, he will leave the Bernabeu on a free transfer.
The 34-year-old did not play in Liverpool’s Champions League final on Saturday, but he did lift the trophy in Paris, with Vinicius Junior’s second-half goal deciding the match.
Marcelo has only made 17 appearances for Real Madrid this season, with Ferland Mendy currently the first-choice left-back, and his future has been the subject of much debate in recent months.
The Brazilian was tight-lipped on his future at Madrid before Saturday’s final against Liverpool.
“I won’t say anything here, to avoid speculation, about whether I stay or not. Whatever happens, I think I’ve already done and given my all for Real Madrid. We’ll see after the final,” the defender told reporters.
The fullback has now confirmed that he will be leaving Real Madrid on a free transfer at the end of June, claiming that “the emotion is brutal”.
“It’s a very nice moment. When you are first captain you dream of lifting the cup and I have become the only Brazilian to lift a Champions League as captain of Real Madrid,” he told reporters.
“The emotion is brutal, it was my last game with Real Madrid. But I am very happy. It’s not a day of sadness, I’m leaving with a lot of joy, grateful to the fans and the magical nights I’ve experienced at the Bernabeu.”
“I feel great joy and emotion,” Marcelo added.
“It’s even tough for me to speak because I can see my family and all of my teammates here. The season was what it was and we deserved it, this is a strange moment in my head. I’ve won the Champions League five times and never would have thought that I’d achieve that.
“We were all sweating, running, and fighting with the team. These moments are for the young lads, who have just played their first final and are already very mature. It’s a crazy moment, we have to congratulate the fans who have been behind us all the way.”
Since joining Real Madrid from Fluminense in 2007, Marcelo has made 546 appearances for the club, scoring 38 goals and assisting on 103 occasions.
During a hugely successful tenure at Bernabeu, the full-back won six La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies, and five Champions League titles.
