Marcos hangs up his gloves

Palmeiras director Cesar Sampaio confirmed that legendary goalkeeper Marcos has retired from the club with immediate effect.

Sampaio revealed that the 38-year-old keeper, who played his entire 19-year career with the Verdao, announced his decision to retire as the club commenced pre-season training on Wednesday.

His former team-mate in Palmeiras and the Brazil national team was effusive in his praise as he made the news public.

“We had a meeting with Marcos and he made it official that he was hanging up his gloves. He said that he had thought hard about it over the holidays, he spoke with his family and his body had also signalled that it was time to stop,” Sampaio told Gazeta Esportiva.

“The fans, who he represented and still represents, made him a bigger person. I was lucky enough to be his companion, both as a player and as an athlete.”

Fenerbahce midfielder and former team-mate in Palmeiras Alex led the tributes after the news broke, thanking Marcos for his role in the club’s 1999 Copa Libertadores triumph.

“Thank you so much for the ’99 Libertadores. Thank you so much for your friendship. I wish you every success now post-football. Live forever, Marcao!” Alex wrote on his official Twitter page.

Marcos won 13 titles in his career at Palmeiras and also picked up a World Cup medal in 2002 and the 1999 Copa America as part of the Brazil national team.