Former Actual Madrid left-back Marcelo has named Lionel Messi the ‘hardest’ opponent he ever confronted throughout his 18-year profession in Europe.
The Brazilian defender spent 15 storied years on the Santiago Bernabeu, ultimately changing into the membership’s most embellished participant of all time, with 25 trophies in Madrid’s colors earlier than his departure in 2022.
He was a part of the Madrid squad that gained the Champions League title for 3 years in a row and 5 Champions League trophies in six years. Marcelo was additionally a part of the Madrid workforce that recorded probably the most factors in a single La Liga season below Jose Mourinho.
So his time in Spain noticed him come face-to-face with the very best gamers in Spain and the world. Nonetheless, of the a number of huge names he confronted, none troubled the left-back like Lionel Messi. The previous Madrid man got here face-to-face with the 35-year-old severally for membership and nation and has now admitted the Argentina worldwide was his hardest opponent.
Marcelo additionally pressured that the participant remains to be one of the crucial gifted within the sport at the moment, even at 35.
Talking to the Athletic, Marcelo described his time enjoying with Messi throughout their many historic El Clasicos.
“Messi is unbelievable, the hardest opponent I’ve ever confronted,” he stated.
“Everyone knows the standard he has even now, aged 35, and earlier than, it was the identical.
“El Clasico has all the time been the most effective video games to look at and play. I used to be fortunate sufficient to have featured in the most effective eras of Clasicos.”
Nonetheless, Marcelo, who was shut associates with Cristiano Ronaldo throughout their time at Actual, shortly famous that it ‘wasn’t simply Messi’ who outlined the Clasicos of the late 2000s and 2010s. Different gamers who featured had been ‘additionally unbelievable’.
Throughout his 15 years on the Santiago Bernabeu, Marcelo performed in 28 El Clasicos. He was on the successful aspect on twelve events, whereas Barcelona gained 16 occasions.
After leaving the membership throughout final summer time’s switch window, Marcelo joined the Greek aspect Olympiacos. Nonetheless, the 34-year-old couldn’t settle on the Tremendous League Greece membership and terminated his contract in February 2023, as an alternative selecting to return to his boyhood membership Fluminense in Brazil.
