Marcelo struggled to contain his emotions as he bid goodbye to Real Madrid but said he is still motivated to keep playing for many more years.
Marcelo said that he is still undecided about his future but dismissed retiring or going back to his native Brazil, hinting that he wants to keep playing in Europe and at a club that will play in next season's Champions League.
The 34-year-old made 546 appearances for the club since joining in 2007 and leaves as the most decorated player in Real's 120-year history.
Marcelo won 25 trophies at Real Madrid, including five Champions League, six La Liga titles and two Copa del Reys.
His departure comes after winning a fifth Champions League title as team captain after they beat Liverpool 1-0 in the final in Paris last month.
Among those attending a farewell ceremony in Valdebebas were Marcelo's teammates, Real president Florentino Perez, as well as Carlo Ancelotti and Raul, who is currently in charge of the club's B team.
“When I signed for Madrid, in my head I thought I could reach the top, and here I am the player with the most titles in its history,” said Marcelo, wiping away tears.
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Marcelo claimed his first trophy with Real Madrid in 2007 when his side side won the La Liga title. Getty -
Marcelo holds aloft the La Liga trophy on May 18, 2008. Getty -
Marcelo won La Liga with Real Madrid in 2011-12. Getty -
Real's Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo hold up the Uefa Super Cup and La Liga title for 2016-17. Getty -
Marcelo's Real won another La Liga in 2019-20. Getty -
Marcelo picked up his sixth La Liga title in April, 2022. Getty -
Marcelo of Real Madrid en route to the Champions League in 2013-14. Getty -
Marcelo won the Champions League again in 2015-16. EPA -
Marcelo claims another Champions League trophy in 2016-2017. Getty -
More Champions League success in 2017-18. Reuters -
Real Madrid's Marcelo celebrates with the Champions League trophy after beating Liverpool in Paris in May 2018. Reuters -
Marcelo of Real Madrid celebrates after the Copa del Rey victory over Barcelona in 2011. Getty -
Marcelo in action against Olimpic Xativa Denis on their way to the Spanish King's Cup in 2013. EPA -
Real Madrid celebrate winning the Spanish Super Cup in 2008. AFP -
Marcelo duels for the ball with Xavi of Barcelona as Real win the Super Cup in 2012. Getty -
Sergio Ramos and Marcelo lift the Spanish Super Cup in 2017. Getty -
Real Madrid's Brazilian players Casemiro, Marcelo, Vinicius Junior, Eder Militao and Rodrygo pose with the trophy after winning the Spanish Super Cup on January 12, 2020, in the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah. AFP -
Marcelo celebrates after the Super Cup win against Athletic Bilbao at King Abdullah Sports City on January 16, 2022 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Getty -
Marcelo celebrates his team's victory in the Uefa Super Cup in 2014. Getty -
Defender Marcelo on his way to another trophy in the Uefa Super Cup in 2016. AFP -
Marcelo lifts the Uefa Super Cup in 2017. Getty -
Keylor Navas, Javier Hernandez, James Rodriguez, Marcelo, and Cristiano Ronaldo celebrate after their victory in the Fifa Club World Cup in 2014. EPA -
Marcelo during the Fifa Club World Cup final win in 2016. EPA -
Marcelo in action against Gremio during Real's Fifa Club World Cup win in 2017. EPA -
Marcelo celebrates with the Fifa Club World Cup in 2018 after winning the final against Al Ain in Abu Dhabi. EPA
“It's not goodbye, I don't feel like I'm leaving Madrid. If you don't give me a ticket, there will be trouble,” he joked.
“I haven't thought about retiring, I think I can still play,” he said. “I don't think playing against Madrid will be a problem, I couldn't have done any more. I'm very professional.”
Marcelo collected his fifth Champions League title last month, but he did not play in the final, with Carlo Ancelotti favouring Ferland Mendy at left-back for Madrid's biggest games last season. Marcelo made only five starts in La Liga.
“This season I've hardly played but I have felt useful even without playing. I felt a responsibility,” Marcelo said. “Sometimes I would be furious with Ancelotti and then the next day we were sharing kisses and hugs.”
Marcelo scored against Atletico Madrid in the 2014 Champions League final to make it 3-1 in extra-time, as Real Madrid won 4-1 in Lisbon.
“You are irreplaceable,” said Perez. “You should be proud of your brilliant career.”
