Real Madrid great Marcelo makes surprise move to Olympiacos

Marcelo has signed for Greek Super League champions Olympiacos after bringing down the curtain on his glittering Real Madrid career.

The left-back – a five-time European champion – was firmly behind Ferland Mendy in Madrid’s pecking order last term, starting only seven games in all competitions as Los Blancos won LaLiga and the Champions League.

Although Marcelo was club captain, Karim Benzema usually skippered Carlo Ancelotti’s team. Marcelo then departed when his contract expired at the end of the 2021-22 season, ending a 15-year stay with the Spanish giants.

Marcelo said upon leaving Madrid: “I won’t retire, not now. I feel I can still play. Facing Real Madrid won’t be a problem. I’m a big Madridista, but I’m also a big professional.”

He was available as a free agent and was recently linked with Premier League side Leicester City.

However, the 34-year-old has ended up at Olympiacos, who described him as “a true football legend” when announcing the deal.

There is unlikely to be the opportunity to face Madrid this season, with Olympiacos having failed to qualify for the Champions League group stage, losing to Maccabi Haifa in the preliminary rounds.

Ένας αληθινός ΘΡΥΛΟΣ του ποδοσφαίρου στον ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΟ! / A true football LEGEND joins OLYMPIACOS!  

Welcome MARCELO to Piraeus  @MarceloM12 #Olympiacos #Marcelo #M12 #Legend #WelcomeMarcelo #Football #Piraeus #Greece #Brazil #WeKeepOnDreaming pic.twitter.com/eR2CdVi8tA

— Olympiacos FC (47) (@olympiacosfc) September 2, 2022