Marcelo dribbling past a few opposition players and looking for a cross into the box has been one of the most common scenes that could be seen in any Real Madrid match from 2007 to 2022.
The Real Madrid captain, after spending 15 long years in the club, has left the club for good.
Brought from Fluminense as a long-term replacement for Roberto Carlos, it would be an understatement to say that Marcelo has lived up to the hype.
Marcelo has been one of the most loved players by Madridistas, and his partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo was one of the most lethal fullback-forward combinations in the history of the game.
Marcelo was an archetypal Brazilian left wingback with his main strength being speed, technical prowess and powerful crossing ability.
Defensive capabilities are of secondary importance for Brazilian fullbacks of his type, but he pretty much excelled in that as well. In 545 matches for Real Madrid, he has a total of 38 goals and 103 assists, an enviable number for any top fullback.
His leadership qualities are unprecedented as well. Even before being the captain of the team, he was one of the undisputed leaders of the Real Madrid dressing room, courtesy of his charm, charisma and a great relationship with the entire squad.
Whenever a heated situation arose on the field between a Real Madrid player and a player of any opposition team, Marcelo was seen to act as a mediator in the conflict.
Marcelo was one of the most consistent players of Real Madrid in the last decade and he has provided many joyful moments to Madridistas that they can cherish forever.
His Goal in the UCL Final against Atletico Madrid will remain in the minds of the Madridistas forever, a powerful left-footed shot after effortlessly going past a few Atletico Madrid players will forever have an almost mythical status among Blancos fans around the world.
The departure of Marcelo is indeed an event to mourn for the fans. Although Marcelo was not a regular choice in his last season for the club, his experience and tactical maturity were instrumental for the young players to marshall the Real Madrid defence.
Real Madrid did not have to wait much to find a successor to Roberto Carlos in the form of Marcelo. It will be interesting to see how long it takes for them to find a successor for Marcelo himself.
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