Marcelo reveals fear of Real Madrid sack after Cristiano Ronaldo incident back in 2008
· Yahoo Sports
Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo built one of football’s most iconic partnerships at Real Madrid, forming a close friendship during years of success at the club. Their connection became a key part of Madrid’s dominance.
However, their relationship did not begin smoothly. Before becoming teammates, the pair had a tense on-field clash that left a lasting impression on the Brazilian defender.
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That moment briefly made Marcelo fear for his future, especially when news broke about Ronaldo’s move to Real Madrid.
Marcelo feared Real Madrid exit after clash with Cristiano Ronaldo
Photo credit should read JOEDSON ALVES/AFP via Getty ImagesMarcelo recalled the incident during a friendly between Brazil and Portugal in November 2008, a game Brazil won 6-2.
In an interview with Romario, the former left-back said: “He [Ronaldo] was so quick, even more so back then. He controlled the ball, passed it to the left-back, and ran towards the middle. I was in the middle of the field and had to defend, so I went back to run backwards.
“When I went to run backwards, on the run, he elbowed me in the throat and I was kind of breathless, while he ran. I saw that the left-back was going to cross the ball, so I thought: ‘He’s going to get there before me.’ So, what did I do? I tackled him from below, he tripped and fell. Then the guy crossed and he didn’t get it.”
Marcelo described how tensions briefly escalated. “Then he got up grabbing me by the neck, I looked at him, but it ended there. Nothing happened.”
The situation became more significant when Ronaldo’s transfer to Real Madrid was announced months later, with the move eventually completed in summer 2009. The Brazilian defender admitted he feared the consequences.
“The problem was that, after that game, they announced that he was going to Real Madrid. Then I said: ‘I’m going to get there and they’re going to fire me,’” he said while laughing.
Despite those concerns, nothing came of the incident. Marcelo revealed the pair never discussed the clash and instead developed a strong friendship.
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