What Happened to Marcelo Vieira? Who Did Marcelo Tackle? Where is Marcelo Now?
by Tamilchandran | Updated Aug 03, 2023
Who is Marcelo Vieira?
Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior, commonly known as Marcelo, is a Brazilian professional footballer renowned for his exceptional skills as a left-back. Born on May 12, 1988, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Marcelo began his football journey at Fluminense's youth academy in 2002.
He quickly rose through the ranks and made his professional debut for Fluminense in 2005, winning a Campeonato Carioca title in his first season and earning recognition in the 2006 Brasileirão Team of the Season.
In January 2007, Marcelo made a significant move to Real Madrid, one of the most iconic clubs in the world, for a fee of $8 million. During his time with Los Blancos, he established himself as a key player, renowned for his offensive prowess, technical abilities, and tricky playing style.
Marcelo's tenure at Real Madrid was remarkably successful, contributing to the team's triumph in five UEFA Champions League titles and six La Liga titles, making him the club's most decorated player with an impressive total of 25 trophies won.
In 2021, Marcelo achieved yet another milestone in his career by becoming the captain of Real Madrid, making him the first foreign captain in the club's history since 1904. After his departure from Madrid in 2022, he had a brief stint at Olympiacos before eventually returning to his homeland to rejoin Fluminense in 2023.
Throughout his career, Marcelo has received numerous accolades, including six appearances in the FIFPro World XI, three selections in the UEFA Team of the Year, and recognition in France Football's "Team of the Decade (2010–2019)." His remarkable talent and achievements have solidified his status as one of the greatest left-backs of all time in the world of football.
Full Name
Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior
Date of Birth
May 12, 1988
Place of Birth
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height
1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position
Left-back
Current Club
Fluminense FC
Former Club
Real Madrid
Nationality
Brazilian
What happened to Marcelo Vieira?
During a Copa Libertadores match while playing for Fluminense, Marcelo Vieira, the former Real Madrid star, caused a serious injury to Argentinos Juniors defender Luciano Sanchez. Marcelo was in possession of the ball and attempted to dribble past his opponent when he accidentally stepped on his leg, leading to a severe injury.
As a result of the incident, Marcelo was shown a straight red card and left the pitch in tears shortly before the hour mark. The unfortunate injury is expected to keep Sanchez on the sidelines for up to a year. After the match, Marcelo issued an apology on social media to Sanchez, expressing his remorse for inadvertently injuring his colleague.
The Fluminense boss, Fernando Diniz, defended Marcelo, stating that the red card was undeserved and that the incident was an unfortunate event. The match between Fluminense and Argentinos Juniors ended in a 1-1 draw, and they are scheduled to face each other again in the next match, with a spot in the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores at stake.
Marcelo, now 37, recently returned to Brazil after spending more than a decade with Real Madrid, where he achieved tremendous success and won numerous honors. Throughout his career, Marcelo has been known for his offensive capabilities and technical qualities as a left-back, making him one of the greatest players in that position and a legend in the world of football.
Who Did Marcelo Tackle?
Marcelo Vieira tackled Luciano Sanchez during a Copa Libertadores match in Buenos Aires. The unfortunate incident occurred when Marcelo, playing for Fluminense, was dribbling past Sanchez, and his leading foot accidentally caught the Argentine high on the shin with significant force.
The impact of the tackle caused Sanchez's leg to buckle underneath him at a shocking angle, resulting in a severe injury. The Argentinos Juniors player was in agony and had to be immediately taken to the hospital for surgery to repair his knee. It is expected that Sanchez will be out of action for several months due to the extent of the injury.
Marcelo, visibly shaken by the incident, was sent off with a red card and left the field in tears. He later took to social media to express his apologies to Sanchez, clarifying that the tackle was unintentional. This red card will also rule Marcelo out of Fluminense's next two Copa Libertadores matches, adding further consequences to the unfortunate event.
Marcelo's unintentional tackle on Luciano Sanchez was a distressing moment on the pitch, leaving both players and fans deeply affected by the severity of the injury.
Where is Marcelo Now?
Marcelo Vieira is currently playing for Fluminense Football Club in Brazil. He rejoined his former club after leaving Greek champions Olympiacos Piraeus in 2023. Fluminense competes in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, which is the top tier of Brazilian football, and the Campeonato Carioca, the state league of Rio de Janeiro. Marcelo's return to Fluminense marks his second stint with the club, showcasing his dedication to his homeland and the team where he initially started his professional career.
After departing from Real Madrid in 2022, where he spent over a decade and became one of the club's most decorated players, Marcelo embarked on a short five-month spell with Olympiacos in Greece before deciding to return to his roots at Fluminense.
His signing with Fluminense on a two-year contract represents a significant move in his career and presents an opportunity for the Brazilian defender to continue showcasing his football skills and experience at the club where it all began for him. As a vital member of Fluminense's squad, Marcelo aims to contribute to the team's success in the Brazilian Serie A and various competitions they participate in.
Marcelo Vieira Career
Marcelo Vieira had a remarkable football career spanning several prestigious clubs and accolades. His journey started at Fluminense in Brazil, where he made his professional debut and won a Campeonato Carioca title. In January 2007, Marcelo joined Real Madrid, a club with which he would go on to achieve immense success.
During his time with Los Blancos, Marcelo won five UEFA Champions League titles, six La Liga titles, and numerous other honors, becoming the club's most decorated player with a total of 25 trophies.
Marcelo also had a notable international career with the Brazilian national team. He represented Brazil in the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups, wearing the captain's armband in the latter tournament. His last match with the national team was the 2018 World Cup quarter-final match against Belgium.
In 2021, Marcelo was named the captain of Real Madrid after Sergio Ramos' departure, making him the first foreign captain of the club since 1904. He continued to play a significant role for the team until the 2021-2022 season when he announced that he would be leaving the club after 15 years.
Marcelo left Real Madrid as the player with the most titles in the history of the club, surpassing Paco Gento with 24 titles. His impressive career, filled with both individual and team successes, solidified Marcelo's place as one of the greatest left-backs in football history.
What happened to Marcelo Vieira - FAQs
Marcelo Vieira joined Fluminense Football Club in Brazil after leaving Real Madrid.
Marcelo Vieira won five UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid.
Marcelo became the captain of Real Madrid at the start of the 2021-2022 season.
Marcelo made 19 appearances in all competitions during the 2020-2021 season.
Marcelo Vieira won a total of 24 titles with Real Madrid before leaving the club.