Real Madrid paid an emotional tribute to Marcelo Vieira moments before the Madrid Derby against Atletico Madrid, celebrating the legendary Brazilian’s career following his recent announcement of retirement from professional football.

A Tribute to a Club Legend

The Santiago Bernabéu erupted in applause as Marcelo stepped onto the pitch alongside his sons, Enzo and Liam, shortly after Kylian Mbappé received the LaLiga Player of the Month award for January. The former left-back was greeted with a standing ovation from the Madrid faithful, recognizing him as one of the greatest players in the club’s history.

One of the most touching moments came when Luka Modrić presented Marcelo with a framed jersey signed by the entire squad. In response, Marcelo bowed to Modrić in a heartfelt gesture of respect and admiration. The entire Real Madrid squad, including injured stars like Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, and David Alaba, joined for a group photo to celebrate the occasion.

Marcelo’s Legacy at Real Madrid

Starting and ending his career at Fluminense, Marcelo left an indelible mark on Real Madrid, where he arrived at just 18 years old in 2006 and remained until 2022, amassing an unparalleled trophy collection:

• 5 UEFA Champions League titles
• 6 LaLiga championships
• 4 FIFA Club World Cups
• 3 UEFA Super Cups
• 2 Copa del Rey titles
• 5 Spanish Super Cups

With 546 appearances, Marcelo became the third-most capped foreign player in Real Madrid’s history and is widely regarded as one of the greatest left-backs of all time.

A Bernabéu-Worthy Farewell

To conclude the celebration, Real Madrid’s south stand unveiled a massive mosaic displaying the club’s current crest alongside its original 1902-1908 emblem. A giant banner was also unfurled, reading: “Cien años hace que es blanca la capital” ("One hundred years since white became the color of the capital"), commemorating the centenary of Real Madrid’s iconic white kit.