explosive revelations about the Marcelo malaise

On February 24, 2023, Fluminense announced the big return of Marcelo. Trained within the Brazilian club, which he joined in 2002, the left-back rose through the ranks before becoming a professional footballer. Between 2005 and 2007, he participated in 40 matches in all competitions (6 goals). It was there that he was noticed by Real Madrid, who recruited him for €6.5 million. In hindsight, it was a big blow on the part of the Merengues, who were able to count on him for fifteen years before he left in 2022. After a one-season stint at Olympiakos, where he didn't really shine (10 games, 3 goals), the native of Rio de Janeiro decided to return home. And he couldn't sign anywhere other than Fluminense.

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From second marriage to divorce

This comeback delighted everyone, from the player to the club, including the supporters. But twenty months later, everyone has lost their smile. Indeed, relations between Marcelo and Fluminense have completely deteriorated. The point of no return was reached on Friday during the draw (2-2) against Grêmio. As he was about to come on, the Brazilian international with 58 caps returned to the bench. Subsequently, his coach, Mano Menezes, revealed that the 36-year-old would have made comments that were not to the taste of his coach. The latter spoke on the subject at a press conference, after the final whistle. “I was going to bring Marcelo in, but there was something I didn't like, and I changed my mind. So I brought Kennedy in.”

The next day, Fluminense formalized the end of its collaboration with the defender. “Fluminense FC and Marcelo Vieira announce that their contract has been terminated by mutual agreement. As a young player, Marcelo returned to Fluminense in 2023 and helped win the 2023 Campeonato Carioca, the 2023 Conmebol Libertadores and the 2024 Recopa. The institutional and emotional ties between Fluminense and Marcelo continue. The player's name was recently immortalized in the stadium of the Xerém training center. Fluminense thanks Marcelo and will continue, as always, to support his success in all his endeavors”could we read on the press release. A few hours later, the footballer also reacted on his personal social networks.

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Marcelo breaks his silence

“I had a wonderful time at this club. Almost two years ago, I decided to come back, motivated by the sentimental connection I have with the team. I experienced unforgettable moments, like winning the first Copa Libertadores in the club's history. My name will forever be in the renovated Marcelo Vieira Stadium, the place where our boys from Xerém train every day. I would like to thank my wife, my children, for always being by my side and for all the sacrifices they have made for me. I am proud of what I accomplished and I thank everyone who made this moment special, including the president, employees and my teammates. I also thank the French for their support. I will always carry Fluminense in my heart. The truth, like the sun, will always rise eventually.”

His publication was commented on and liked by several players, like Neymar or Luka Modric. For its part, the Brazilian press is trying to understand why the second marriage between Marcelo and Fluminense ended in a very complicated divorce. Globo Esporte reveals this Monday the words spoken by the player to his coach. “He approaches me (to bring him into play, editor’s note) to please the supporters”he would have declared along the touchline as his coach gave him his final instructions. Marcelo would not have appreciated Menezes grabbing his arm at that moment either. For his part, UOLwho recalled that he returned to his former club after being welcomed by more than 30,000 fans at the Maracaña, spoke of the other points of contention.

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A disturbing attitude

“Marcelo's dismissal with Fluminense ends a plot that lasted more than 600 days with titles, controversies and injuries (…) In fact, the beginning of the story was a honeymoon. In his second match, the veteran scored a goal against Flamengo and won Carioca's second championship under the command of Fernando Diniz. Little by little, however, the idol was discreet in his relationships with his teammates and was far from being a leader for the team, which already included veterans like Fábio, Felipe Melo, Ganso and Cano… The privileges of Marcelo also became an internal debate: the player agreed to be accompanied, for example, by a personal physiotherapist, excluding working on a daily basis with Flu employees.

In addition to his performances, injuries and his physical condition, since he only played 5 full matches out of 32, it was above all the attitude of the Brazilian legend that was singled out. At the end of September, the player had already complained after the Libertadores defeat against Atlético Mineiro. “It’s difficult to say because I came on in the 2nd half. When you're on the pitch, it's different from who's outside. But I think they deserved it and did more than us.”he explained. Then, the cup was full last Friday when he was called by his coach to come on. What he didn't like and what led to his cracking and then the end of his lease at Fluminense.

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A real discomfort

For his part, Rafael Marques, journalist for ESPNconfided about him: “I have spoken with people close to the daily life of the Fluminense club and the stories about Marcelo's behavior are shocking. Mistreatment of employees, relationship problems with other players… He had problems with practically everyone. I also learned that he even told young players that they shouldn't worry too much about physical training, because if they had talent, that was enough. Marcelo's main problem was his inappropriate behavior with the club management, as he always competed in a veiled manner. First with Diniz, then with Marcão and finally with Mano. Marcelo's actions almost always happened behind the scenes, they were never direct, so he became a difficult subject to deal with. Globo Esportewhich reminds us that everyone at Flu respects Marcelo's career, goes in the same direction.

“Team leaders spoke with board members to express support for the decision. Marcelo's level of commitment in the midst of the delicate moment that Fluminense is experiencing, in the fight against relegation, has once again been a topic of conversation. There were public demonstrations of support for the player, but behind the scenes the situation was different, with criticism of the number 12 (…) Marcelo was considered a player who interacted little and was not as integrated as we imagined it. The report also cited complaints that the full-back was a “complainer”, who was almost never satisfied. Another point of discomfort was the absence of Marcelo during some Fluminense away matches. In July, Globo Esporte published a survey on the difference in percentage of full-back participation in matches, depending on whether they were in Rio de Janeiro or not. Outside there were doubts about his absences. The player spoke of physical problems. His club “had a hard time questioning number 12 without questioning his word, or creating bigger problems.” But his case had become unmanageable and Fluminense decided to end its collaboration with Marcelo, now free of any contract.