Real Madrid honour Marcelo with emotional farewell at the Santiago Bernabeu – as Jude Bellingham leads standing ovation for retired Brazil star

Real Madrid paid an emotional tribute to the club’s legend Marcelo ahead of their derby with Atletico Madrid on Saturday following the Brazilian’s retirement.

His sons, Enzo and Liam, joined the legendary left back, appearing at a packed Santiago Bernabeu before the starting whistle.

England star Jude Bellingham was also spotted leading the standing ovation, while the Brazilian posed with a framed Galacticos jersey given by the club’s veteran Luka Modric.

Marcelo showed respect by bowing to the 39-year-old veteran after they had been teammates for ten successful seasons in the Madrid squad.

The 26-year-old Brazilian previously spent 15 stunning years in the capital of Spain, winning an incredible 25 trophies, including five Champions League titles.

He stepped onto the pitch moments after the Los Blancos newcomer Kylian Mbappe received the Player of the Month award for January, for his eight goals in nine games during the month. 

The legendary left back – joined by his sons Enzo and Liam – received a special Madrid jersey

Marcelo was seen posing for a picture with the entire squad – including injured Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao and David Alaba – later receiving hugs from former team-mates Lucas Vazquez and Dani Ceballos.

The Madrid icon made a total of 546 appearances, becoming the third foreign player with the most games for the club, behind Karim Benzema and Roberto Carlos.

In 2006, a young and inexperienced Marcelo joined the Spanish club from Fluminense, having previously played only 30 senior matches.

However, he quickly secured a regular starter role in the squad after Carlos’ departure to Fenerbahce in 2007.

One of his most memorable goals includes his thunderbolt against Atletico Madrid in the 2013-14 Champions League final in Lisbon, helping Los Blancos lift their 10th European cup.  

However, Marcelo’s time as a starter in the squad came to an end with the arrival of Ferland Mendy at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2019, who was viewed as a more reliable option for Los Blancos’ defence.

He left as an icon in 2022 and will be remembered for his charismatic personality and elegant control of the ball.

The left back retired from football in his boyhood club Fluminense – after another move from Olympiacos in March 2023 – making 68 appearances while scoring five goals.

England star Jude Bellingham was also spotted leading the standing ovation at the Bernabeu

He retired from football in his boyhood club Fluminense after making a return in March 2023

Marcelo departs as the third foreign player with the most games for Madrid, where he won 25 trophies including five Champions League titles

In a social media video announcing his retirement in a social media video, Marcelo said: ‘At 18, Real Madrid came knocking on my door and I arrived here. Now I can proudly say that I am a true Madrileno.

’16 seasons, 25 titles, five Champions Leagues, one of the captains… and so many magical nights at the Bernabeu. What a journey! Madrid is a unique club.

‘Returning to Fluminense meant giving back to the club what they initially gave me. Helping them to win three titles, including the Copa Libertadores, and leaving a legacy for the next generation with the Marcelo Viera Stadium.

‘My journey as a player ends here, but I still have so much to give to football. Thank you for everything.’

Furthermore, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez later added: ‘Marcelo is one of the greatest left-backs in the history of Real Madrid and world football, and we have had the privilege of enjoying him for a long time.

‘He is one of our greatest legends and Real Madrid is and will always be his home.’