See what Marcelo’s future will be after his termination with Fluminense

Marcelo’s relationship with Fluminense has been terminated and now the winger will have some possibilities to continue his career

After a brilliant career, Marcelo says goodbye to Fluminense again, this time in a tense scenario. The contract termination was decided by mutual agreement between the club and the player, but with a history of recent friction. The left-back, who returned to Fluminense in 2023 to play in major competitions, ended up facing difficulties, especially with coach Mano Menezes.

During one of the last games, Marcelo and Mano had an argument when the coach asked the player to come in at the end of the match, which resulted in mutual discomfort and marked the end of the relationship between them.

Another factor that contributed to the outcome was the athlete’s prestige, which was no longer the same among the fans. In the beginning, Marcelo arrived as an idol and was applauded in decisive games. However, his irregular performance and injury absences undermined fans’ confidence.

Furthermore, the club also went through a difficult season in the Brasileirão, and the need for results ended up making the environment less favorable for the veteran. The board was already thinking about ending the relationship at the end of the year.

The criticism from the fans also increased the pressure on Marcelo, who no longer felt the unconditional support he used to have. Amid injuries and charges, the player faced criticism for what many considered a drop in commitment and, at times, attitudes seen as distant.

This wear and tear influenced the decision of both sides to end the relationship, and now the athlete’s future becomes unknown. See below some possibilities for continuing your career.

Staying in Brazil?

Marcelo’s continuity in Brazilian football, however, seems uncertain. In recent months, the player has faced wear and tear with fans from Fluminense and also from other clubs, due to some attitudes that were seen as unreceptive towards fans.

This distancing and public criticism reduced his popularity on the national scene. Despite this, the player has already declared that he is a Botafogo fan, and a transfer to the black and white club could revive his career in Brazil. However, there are no concrete signs that Botafogo is interested in making this signing, which makes his stay on Brazilian soil a remote possibility.

Back to Europe?

A new adventure for Marcelo in Europe seems unlikely. At 36 years old, he faces the age barrier for more competitive and physically demanding markets, such as Europe. Furthermore, many European clubs have invested in young talent for specific positions, which makes it difficult to include a veteran in their squads.

The lack of space for older athletes and the fact that Marcelo is no longer at his physical peak reduce his chances of being signed by top or even mid-sized teams on the continent. Thus, a return to European football is a possibility that, for now, has been ruled out.

Going to the Arab world?

An attractive alternative would be a possible move to Arab football, where his long-time friend, Cristiano Ronaldo, already plays for Al-Ittihad. The Arab market has shown interest in big names to promote their competitions and attract a larger global audience.

Marcelo, with his vast experience and history of achievements, would be an interesting addition to the local championship. The presence of Cristiano Ronaldo and other stars in the Arab world could make a transfer to this league more viable. Furthermore, clubs in this region have the resources to offer salaries compatible with the expectations of a player of Marcelo’s caliber.

United States Football

Perhaps the most likely option for Marcelo is Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States. The American league has sought to attract big names to increase its global visibility and consolidate its position in the world football market. Messi and Suarez, who were great opponents of the full-back during his Real Madrid days, play there.

Marcelo’s experience and renown fit well with this strategy, and his high salary could be supported by the financial capacity of MLS clubs. With the increase in investment and stars in the league, hiring Marcelo would be a strategic move to attract more public attention and boost the championship’s popularity in the United States.

Does Marcelo think about retirement?

Although Marcelo is 36 years old, retirement still doesn’t seem to be in his immediate plans. At the beginning of the season, he showed good physical performance, being praised by Fluminense’s then coach, Fernando Diniz.

However, recurring injuries and the difficulty in maintaining ideal physical conditioning were factors that limited his performance throughout the year. Still, Marcelo has already demonstrated that, when he is in shape, he can perform at a high level. Therefore, although retirement may be an alternative to consider in the future, he still seems willing to seek new challenges before ending his career in football.

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