Marcelo is leaving as most decorated player in Real Madrid’s history after UCL win

Marcelo, the most decorated player in Real Madrid’s history, has stated that he will leave the Spanish club this summer.

Marcelo did not play in Los Blancos’ Champions League final victory over Liverpool at the Stade de France on Saturday night, but he did lift the trophy as club captain after the game.

It was the Brazilian left-back’s fifth Champions League triumph and his 25th trophy overall in 15 seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Despite a dip in recent seasons, the 34-year-old will go down as one of Madrid’s greatest ever players, surpassing club legend Paco Gento’s total trophies won as Real won LaLiga a month before they won the Champions League.

He indicated at the time that he hoped to stay at the club longer, but his contract is up this summer. Hence, he revealed on Saturday night that he is leaving.

After the game, the defender did not immediately announce his departure, preferring to enjoy the celebrations with his teammates.

“I feel great joy and emotion,” he said then. “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’ve 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.”

Marcelo joined Real Madrid in 2007 as a long-term successor for Roberto Carlos, and is now widely regarded as the finest left-back in the club history.

After the final and the celebration that followed, Marcelo announced his departure from Real Madrid ahead of the coming 2022-2023 season.

With 25 trophies under his belt, he will leave Real Madrid as the club’s all-time most decorated player.

What did Marcelo achieve during his time at Real Madrid?

Five Champions League titles, four Club World Cups, three European Super Cups, six La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey medals, and five Spanish Super Cups were among his achievements during his time at Real Madrid.