Even Neal Maupay, who was once called up by France, and Pablo Maffeo, who received a November 2023 Argentina call-up but didn’t play, have publicly stated their preference for playing for Lionel Messi’s team.

Meanwhile, players like Mateo Retegui have gone the opposite route, opting for Italy after finding no room in Argentina’s stacked roster. This echoes past decisions from Mauro Camoranesi and Pablo Osvaldo, who both represented Italy under similar circumstances.

On the flip side, Brazil has seen an intriguing case emerge. Enzo Alves, the son of Real Madrid legend Marcelo Vieira—who earned 58 caps for Brazil and won the 2013 Confederations Cup—has chosen to represent Spain. Born in Madrid during Marcelo’s storied tenure with Los Blancos, Enzo has embraced his Spanish roots over his Brazilian heritage.

The young striker has already made waves in Spain’s youth setup, tallying five appearances for the U-15s, one for the U-16s, and three for the U-17s. Most recently, he found the back of the net during Spain’s 3-3 draw against Austria in the UEFA U-17 European Championship qualifiers.

Enzo Alves shines in Real Madrid’s youth ranks

Likely influenced by his father, Marcelo, Enzo Alves has carved out a promising path at Real Madrid. Already part of the club’s youth setup, the striker signed a contract that keeps him at the academy until mid-2027.

Last season, Enzo netted an impressive 32 goals in just 14 matches for his age group, showcasing his elite scoring ability. Now playing for Real Madrid Juvenil C, he’s taken another step forward in his development.

His promotion to the U-17s could pave the way for him to compete in the UEFA Youth League in the near future, signaling a bright future for the young talent.

Recently, Marcelo gave his thoughts on the never-ending GOAT debate between Messi and Ronaldo. Speaking on La Resistencia with David Broncano, Marcelo praised both superstars but avoided declaring one the greatest of all time. “Messi? He’s a phenomenon, just incredible. I tried fouling him, but I couldn’t,” Marcelo admitted.

He then emphasized that comparing them takes away from the experience of witnessing their greatness firsthand. “There’s no ‘best in history.’ We were lucky to play at the same time as Cristiano and Messi. There was a period when those two were absolutely insane—if one scored two, the other scored three.”

Marcelo believes that fans often get caught up in the debate instead of simply appreciating what these two legends have brought to soccer. “We saw this live, and we enjoyed it very much. Most people want to compare them, but they forget to enjoy both,” he added.

Marcelo’s words reflect the deep respect he holds for both players—not just as rivals, but as legends who defined an era. While he battled Messi on the pitch and shared a golden era with Ronaldo, he ultimately sees them as two generational talents who should be celebrated, rather than constantly compared.

Marcelo’s legacy at Real Madrid: a true club icon

Few players in Real Madrid’s illustrious history embody longevity, loyalty, and excellence quite like Marcelo. Arriving at the club in 2007 as a promising teenager from Fluminense, the Brazilian left-back went on to become one of Los Blancos’ greatest-ever soccer players. Over 15 seasons, Marcelo redefined the modern full-back role with his dynamic attacking play, exquisite technique, and ability to influence matches both offensively and defensively. His 25 trophies with Madrid, including five Champions League titles, make him the one of the most decorated player in the club’s history—a testament to his enduring brilliance.

A special bond with Cristiano Ronaldo

One of Marcelo’s defining partnerships at Real Madrid was his close relationship—both on and off the pitch—with Cristiano Ronaldo. The two formed a lethal connection on the left flank, with Marcelo’s pinpoint crosses, overlapping runs, and technical ability perfectly complementing Ronaldo’s goal-scoring instincts.

Beyond their footballing chemistry, Marcelo and Ronaldo shared a deep friendship, often celebrating goals together and pushing each other to new heights. When Ronaldo left Madrid in 2018, Marcelo openly admitted that it was a difficult transition, highlighting just how important their bond was to the club’s golden era.

The rivalry with Lionel Messi

As much as Marcelo contributed to Real Madrid’s attacking play, he also played a key role in the club’s fierce battles with Lionel Messi and Barcelona. In over a decade of Clásicos, Marcelo often found himself directly facing one of soccer’s greatest-ever players. Despite Messi’s brilliance, Marcelo never shied away from the challenge, using his physicality, tactical awareness, and occasional tough tackles to disrupt the Argentine’s rhythm. Their duels became legendary, defining an era where Madrid and Barça battled for dominance both in Spain and Europe.

In an interview shared by Goal on the social media platform X, Roberto Carlos volunteered to participate in a fun exercise where he was asked to pick his favorite left-back from a series of duels, eliminating players until he arrived at his top choice. Of course, he was in the list, but his humility won out, and he eliminated himself before reaching the final.

“Marcelo vs. Andy Robertson” was the first choice the former Brazilian star had to make. “Ay, caramba,” he initially exclaimed, realizing how difficult the decision between the Real Madrid legend and the Liverpool player was. After a brief moment of reflection, Roberto Carlos chose: “Marcelo.”

Next came the matchup of “Ashley Cole vs. David Alaba,” and the former left-back confidently selected another Real Madrid player: “Alaba.” The third round proved to be a more difficult decision: “Patrice Evra or Paolo Maldini?” Roberto Carlos hesitated before responding. “OK, Maldini is my teacher, Patrice is a great friend of mine,” he explained. “Let’s go with Maldini.”

In the final matchup of the opening round, Roberto Carlos was faced with a tough decision between himself and Jordi Alba. Despite the considerable talent of the former Barcelona player and current Inter Miami star, Roberto Carlos had no doubt in his choice and chose himself.

Roberto Carlos’ final four

With the four semi-finalists defined, Roberto Carlos continued to eliminate players. “Marcelo or Alaba?” was the next question, and the Brazilian legend made an important clarification: “Marcelo as a left-back, yes.” This was a reference to the fact that David Alaba had also played frequently as a center-back, a position in which he has excelled.

The other semi-final proved to be a tight battle: “Maldini or Roberto Carlos?” But the Brazilian legend put his ego aside and chose the Italian defender. This left the final match-up: “Marcelo against Maldini.” Despite some hesitation, Roberto Carlos ultimately made his choice: “Ooh, Marcelo.”

Roberto Carlos and Marcelo: parallel paths at Real Madrid

Roberto Carlos and Marcelo share the distinction of having long, successful careers at Real Madrid, each staying with the Spanish club for more than a decade. Roberto Carlos arrived at Real Madrid in 1996 after impressing in a season with Inter Milan, where he stayed for eleven years. Marcelo, in turn, joined Real Madrid in Roberto Carlos’ final year with the club and succeeded him as the starting left-back after his departure, staying with the team until 2022.

However, the major difference between the two legends lies in their respective legacies with the Brazil National Team. Roberto Carlos is widely considered one of the most important defenders Brazil have ever produced. He was part of one of the country’s most successful eras, winning two Copa America titles and one FIFA World Cup (South Korea and Japan 2002), in addition to being a finalist in the 1998 World Cup in France.

Marcelo, on the other hand, did not enjoy as much success with Brazil. He never played in a Copa America, participated in two World Cups (2014 and 2018), where Brazil failed to meet expectations, and won only one minor title: the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Former Real Madrid and Brazil left-back Marcelo announced his retirement at the age of 36 in a video posted to social media on Thursday. His former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t take long to send him a farewell message.

“My brother, what an incredible career! We have lived a lot together, years of achievements, victories and unforgettable moments,” Ronaldo wrote in Portuguese on his social media. “More than a teammate, a companion for my life. Thank you for everything, friend. I wish you all the best in this new stage of your life.”

Marcelo responded with “my brother,” and a heart emoji. They played together for nine years in Real Madrid. The Brazilian star ends his successful career with several trophies under his belt, such as five Champions League titles and six LaLiga titles.

Marcelo first joined Real Madrid from Fluminense in 2007 as a 18-year-old, and spent fifteen seasons with Los Blancos. He won 25 trophies with them, being one of the most decorated players in history for the club.

Ronaldo wasn’t the only one to pay tribute to Marcelo. “One of the greatest left-backs in Real Madrid and world football history, and we had the privilege of watching him for a long time,” Madrid’s longtime president Florentino Perez said of the news, according to ESPN. “He is one of our greatest legends and Real Madrid is and always will be his home,” he added. Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba, Raphael Varane are also among his former teammates to have reacted to the news.

Marcelo’s illustrious career

Marcelo also had successful stints in his home country with Fluminense, playing a key role in their 2023 Copa Libertadores triumph after departing Real Madrid following their 2022 Champions League victory and a brief spell with Olympiacos in Greece.

He earned 58 caps for Brazil, scoring six goals. While he never won a major international tournament, he was part of the squad that claimed the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup on home soil. He also secured silver and bronze medals with Brazil at the 2012 and 2008 Olympic Games, respectively.

In a 2020 conversation with Fabio Cannavaro, Marcelo gave his take on the debate. Instead of choosing sides, Marcelo celebrated both players for their unmatched brilliance, acknowledging how they defined an era of soccer.

“You can’t say who’s better. I played ten years with Cristiano, and the motivation he gives you on the field is unique—how he lifts you up,” Marcelo said. “Messi stands still, takes the ball, and out of nowhere, he creates something—a goal. When people ask who’s better, it’s just to ‘bother’ us players. We can say who we like more, but not who’s better.”

Marcelo also reflected on the challenges of facing Messi. “When teams play against Real Madrid, it’s like it’s the last game of their lives. Since I attack a lot, they come down my side. I never played against Cristiano, but Messi is Messi. It would be hypocritical to say there’s anyone harder to mark,” he admitted.

When speaking about his longtime teammate Ronaldo, Marcelo highlighted the Portuguese star’s leadership and impact. “I’ve trained with Cristiano, played ten years with him. The motivation he gives on the field, the things he does, how he talks to you and uplifts the team—it’s top level,” Marcelo said.

Marcelo’s legacy at Real Madrid

Marcelo is firmly cemented as one of Real Madrid’s all-time greats. Joining the club in the winter of 2007, he played 546 matches, scoring 38 goals and providing 101 assists. Across his 15-year career with Los Blancos, he collected 25 trophies, including five UEFA Champions League titles—trailing only Luka Modrić, Paco Gento, Dani Carvajal, and Nacho in total European triumphs.

Marcelo’s current status

Now 36, Marcelo is without a club. A dispute with Fluminense head coach Mano Menezes led to the termination of his contract. After leaving Olympiacos in 2022, Marcelo returned to Fluminense and helped the Rio de Janeiro-based club pursue titles like the Copa Libertadores at the iconic Maracanã. During his stint with the team, Marcelo played 85 matches, scoring eight goals and providing eight assists. As he weighs his next move, the veteran defender remains a free agent.

Throughout his career, Marcelo has won 5 Champions League titles, 4 FIFA Club World Cups, 6 Spanish leagues, 2 Copa del Rey trophies, 5 Spanish Super Cups, and 1 FIFA Confederations Cup. Now, the Copa Libertadores has been added to this spectacular list.

Furthermore, the defender has become the 14th player to win both the Champions League and the Copa Libertadores. Undoubtedly, an achievement reserved for very few.

How many players have won Copa Libertadores and Champions League?

Throughout history, 14 players have achieved the most important club trophies in both Europe and America. After Marcelo’s victory, the list includes 10 Brazilians and 4 Argentines.

Juan Pablo Sorin (River Plate/Juventus), Roque Junior (Palmeiras/AC Milan), Cafu (Sao Paulo/AC Milan), Walter Samuel (Boca Juniors/Inter Milan), Dida (Cruzeiro/AC Milan), Carlos Tevez (Boca Juniors/Manchester United), Ronaldinho (Atletico Mineiro/FC Barcelona), Rafinha (Flamengo/Bayern Munich), Neymar (Santos/FC Barcelona), Danilo (Santos/Real Madrid), Ramires (Palmeiras/Chelsea), David Luiz (Flamengo/Chelsea), Julian Alvarez (River Plate/Manchester City) and Marcelo (Real Madrid/Fluminense).

Which team have won the most Copa Libertadores in history?

Boca Juniors had an extraordinary chance to catch up with Independiente as the club with the most Copa Libertadores trophies (7). However, after losing in Rio de Janeiro, the famous xeneizes remain with 6.

Peñarol are in third place on the list with 5 Copa Libertadores titles, followed by River Plate (4), Estudiantes de La Plata (4), Olimpia (3), Nacional (3), Sao Paulo (3), Palmeiras (3), Santos (3), Gremio (3) and Flamengo (3).

Marcelo was red carded and showed considerable remorse for the play, even going to the Argentinos locker room to show his support and ask for forgiveness from Luciano Sánchez.

Sadly, According to Diario Ole, Fluminense are trying to take advantage of that good will and have asked Conmebol to take away Marcelo’s red card given that the former Brazilian national team star did not really want to injure the player.

Fluminense want Marcelo’s red card taken away

Fluminense will present video and images that prove their case to Conmebol, the intent is to have the red card taken away since they view the play as an unfortunate accident.

Fluminense has five days to present their case of which Conmebol will give a final ruling. Luciano Sánchez will miss up to a year as he rehabs his dislocated knee.

Marcelo who was trying to dribble past the 29-year-old but involuntarily stepped on his leg which caused Sánchez’s leg to bend completely. Marcelo was completely distraught at what he had seen and began to cry and cover his face.

The referee of the match issued Marcelo a red card due to lifting his foot and going studs first on Sánchez, but the Brazilian accepted his red card and later apologized for the incident.

Marcelo visits Argentinos Juniors locker room

After being red carded, Marcelo went directly to Argentinos Juniors locker room to see how Sánchez was doing and to inform the player he is available for whatever Sánchez may need. Marcelo and Sánchez exchanged phone numbers and Sánchez was rushed to the Finocchieto hospital.

Sánchez suffered a dislocated knee, and it is reported that it may take up to eight months to a year for Sánchez to be back on the pitch. Marcelo took to Twitter to state, “Today I have had to live through a very difficult moment on the pitch. I have inadvertently injured a colleague. I want to wish you the best possible recovery, Luciano Sánchez. All the strength in the world!”

The game itself ended in a stalemate 1-1 and will continue in Brazil on Tuesday August 8th.

Los Blancos, who were relatively quiet a few months ago by only signing David Alaba on a free from Bayern Munich and Eduardo Camavinga for €31m ($35m) from Rennes, have cashed in nearly €80m ($90m) from Raphael Varane‘s transfer to Manchester United and Martin Odegaard‘s move to Arsenal.

But more players could follow their way when the winter transfer market is open. Carlo Ancelotti hasmade abundantly clearwhich namesarepriority, andwith many contracts expiring at the end of the season, El Merengue would like to make moneybefore they leave for nothing.

Report: Bale among players who could leave Real Madrid in winter

According to Marca, there are real possibilitiesthat Gareth Bale and Isco could leave Madrid in January. Both of them are set to become free agents in the summer as Carletto would not be interested in keeping them beyond June.

Therefore, the report claims Real Madrid would listen to offers for any of them during the next month. Club legend Marcelo‘s future is also up in the air with his deal expiring on June 2022.

Meanwhile, Marca adds that the situation ofEden Hazard, Mariano, andLuka Jovic is a bit different because Ancelotti counts on them but the club would be open to receiving offers regardless.

It remains to be seen how many teams will be interestedin paying a fee for any of these players. Bale, Isco, and Marcelo will be available for free in the summer, when Madrid hope to boost their roster with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.

Every one of these players can also sign a pre-contract with any team come January, before the season ends, so while they might be staying at their current clubs for one more go, many might be locked up come January elsewhere.

Here is the best starting XI pending free agents that will hit the market unofficially come January and officially in 2022. Here are the best free agents in each position in European soccer.

Hugo Lloris – Goalkeeper

The French World Cup winner Hugo Lloris will be available at the end of the 2021/22 season on a free transfer. Lloris has yet to sit down and negotiate a new deal at Spurs, Lloris has stated he’d fancy a move to MLS if it were on the table.

Noussair Mazraoui – Right back

Noussair Mazraoui could be a steal in the summer as the Ajax standout is on the radar of Arsenal and Leeds United. Mazraoui is a very good defender and will be on the shortlist of many, but it’s the Gunners and Leeds who have put their names out there so far.

Antonio Rudiger – Defender

One of the biggest names on the transfer market come summertime is Antonio Rudiger, subject to big moves basically in all of the top teams in the world the German will not be lacking in suitors.

Niklas Sule – Defender

One hand washes the other as Bayern Munich have Antonio Rudiger on their radar, they could lose Niklas Sule. Sule has turned down various contract extensions and could be moving on in the summer.

Marcelo – Left Back

At 33 Marcelo still has a lot to offer any team in the world. A born winner and very exciting left back Marcelo could still get a chance to play in a top club or lend his experience in an MLS side as a DP. Marcelo will have offers.

Marcelo Brozovic – Defensive Midfielder

Marcelo Brozovic is on the radar of Manchester United but look for other clubs to pounce on the Inter Milan defensive midfielder.

Paul Pogba – Midfielder

One of the transfer sagas of the last two years, Paul Pogba is an extraordinary soccer player who may have done all he could for a subpar Manchester United side. Real Madrid, Juventus and PSG are just three of the major clubs who want the world champion.

Franck Kessie – Midfielder

AC Milan midfield ace Franck Kessie is said to be wanted by PSG and Manchester United, with the AC Milan project still getting off the ground Kessie may find it hard to say no to teams who will want to win now.

Paulo Dybala – Forward

Paulo Dybala is a talented soccer player who may have never lived up to his hype but has very impressive numbers. Dybala like many at Juventus will have to think twice about staying for a club that could be in Serie B come next year if found guilty of their financial wrongdoings. Dybala is a star at Juve but will he turn down a chance to play in the Premier League as rumors have stated some clubs are interested in him.

Kylian Mbappe – Forward

Two words, Kylian Mbappe, he’s basically Real Madrid’s to lose at this point. Mbappe is said to have been house hunting and flirting with Real Madrid for two years now. Other than a shock resigning at PSG, which looks doubtful, Mbappe is Madrid bound.

Luis Suarez – Forward

He may have lost a step or two, but Luis Suarez is still a lethal finisher in front of goal. It’s doubtful that major clubs will want to take a chance on Suarez at the tail end of his career, and even Atlético Madrid should be thinking about a replacement, still there are second tier teams that would take Suarez in a heartbeat and there is also that long standing rumor of his arrival to the Seattle Sounders of MLS.

Unlike in 2013, hedidn’t inherit a squad with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos. The outlook was different this time, but that didn’t prevent him from delivering positive results at the beginning of the campaign.

However, the truth is that the club is in rebuild mode as it has its sights set on going all in next summer, hoping to land Kylian Mbappe from PSG, and why not, Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund. And to make room for them, a number of players could see the way out.

Real Madrid reportedly prepareclearout: Hazard, Bale top the list

The optimistic start to the season doesn’t seem to change the fact that Real Madrid will continue to make changes in the upcoming transfer windows. It’s not a secret that their intention is to have Mbappe as the face of the new-look Madrid, but in order to achieve that they’d have to reduce their wage bill.

According to As, there’s a list of players who’s future would no longer be at Santiago Bernabeu. We’re talking about Eden Hazard, Gareth Bale, Marcelo, Isco, Luka Jovic, and Jesus Vallejo. The Belgian star has failed to impress since making a sensational move from Chelsea and his constant injuries have marred his stay at the club so far. It remains to be seen whether he’s givenmore opportunities, but a transfer could be on the cards.

Regarding Bale, it’s been a long time since he last played at his best in a Madrid uniform. Withhis contract running out next summer, the club wouldn’t offer a renewal. That’s the same case for Marcelo and Isco. The Brazilian is a club icon and the Spanishmidfielder has also been part of El Merengue’s successes over the last few years, but they have not been first team regulars for a while. Besides, Madrid would save up a total of €62m oftheir salaries.

Jesus Vallejo wouldbe shown the exit door simply because he doesn’t have room in the team, while Real Madrid apparently wantto cash in for Jovic. The Serbian striker arrived for a mind-blowing €63 million from Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019 but has never lived up to the expectations. After sending him back to Frankfurton loan, Madrid may want to finally sell him.