Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior

Football player infobox
playername = Marcelo


fullname = Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior
height = height|meter=1.74
nickname = Marcelo
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1988|5|12
cityofbirth = Rio de Janeiro
countryofbirth = Brazil
currentclub = Real Madrid
clubnumber = 12
position = Left wingback
youthyears = 2002–2005
youthclubs = Fluminense
years = 2005–2006
2007–
clubs = Fluminense
Real Madrid
caps(goals) = 29 (4)
31 (0)
nationalyears = 2006–
nationalteam = Brazil
nationalcaps(goals) = 03 (1)
pcupdate = 22:18, 18 May 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 21 Dec 2007 (UTC)

Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior, or simply Marcelo (born May 12 1988 in Rio de Janeiro), is a Brazilian football left-wingback who currently plays for Spanish team Real Madrid.

Club career

Early career

Marcelo started playing futsal at the age of 9 and by the age of 13 he was on the books of FluminenseFact|date=October 2007. He comes from a very poor background and even considered quitting football, but his club considered him as one of their 'Crown Jewels' and ensured that he continued playing football.

Real Madrid

Marcelo joined Real Madrid during the January transfer window in 2007.On his arrival, Club President Ramón Calderón said, "He is an important signing for us. He is a young player who will inject some freshness into the side and is part of our plan to bring younger players into the squad. We're very happy because he's a pearl that half of Europe wanted." [ [http://www.sportsnews24h.com/Soccer/Spain/Real-Madrid/12069.html Brazilian Marcelo to join Real Madrid] SportsNews24h.com Retrieved on October 27 2007]

Marcelo made his debut as a substitute in the 2-0 defeat against Deportivo La Coruña [ [http://home.skysports.com/matchreport.aspx?fxid=306162&cpid=23 Sky Sports | Football | Match Facts | Deportivo v Real Madrid - 7th January 2007 ] ] . On April 14 2007, Marcelo made his first start for Real Madrid against Racing Santander, which Real Madrid lost 2-1. Under the new manager, Bernd Schuster, Marcelo has started nearly all of Madrid's league games. His ability, speed running across the field, attack, and defence has enabled him to become a very important player, and current starter of the Real Madrid squad.

International career

Marcelo scored on his Brazil debut against Wales, he picked up the ball just outside the Wales box and shot for a traditional Brazilian full back goal. Marcelo has become one of the preferred choices of Brazil's football coach Dunga. Marcelo has recently been compared to now former Real Madrid and Brazilian national team left-back, Roberto Carlos. The two played together during the second half of the 2006/2007 season before Roberto Carlos' move to Turquish team Fenerbahçe.

Marcelo is well known for his powerful left foot and can also take free kicks.

Honours

Real Madrid

;Domestic
*Spanish League:* Winner (2): 2006-07, 2007-08

*Spanish Super Cup:* Winner (1): 2008:* Runner-up (1): 2007

References

External links

* [http://www.fluminense.com.br/d_integra.asp?idn=2452/ Marcelo embarca para Madri - Marcelo's leaving for Madrid]
* [http://www.realmadrid.com/articulo/rma34945.htm/ Real Madrid official statement]
* [http://www.uefa.com/competitions/UCL/news/Kind=1/newsId=478661.html?cid=rssfeed&att=index/ UEFA news release]
* [http://home.skysports.com/matchreport.aspx?fxid=306162&cpid=23/ Deportivo La Coruna 2 - 0 Real Madrid - Match Report - www.skysports.com]
* [http://www.footballdatabase.com/index.php?page=player&Id=7734&pn=Marcelo_Vieira_da_Silva_Júnior Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior] at FootballDatabase
* [http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/news/kind=1/newsid=664521.html Intervies] with UEFA.com