Real Madrid legend Marcelo will be leaving the club this summer, upon the expiry of his contract. He has several options to choose from as he hopes to continue playing football in Europe for the time being before returning to Brazil around 2024.
The left-back has proposals from Turkey, UAE and Qatar for the upcoming season, and is yet to make his final decision. A switch to Turkey could be the most promising, with several top La Liga stars moving there towards the end of their careers.
Marcelo most likely to join a Middle East club
The 34-year-old is Real Madrid’s most decorated player of all-time, with 25 trophies to his name. He has won six La Liga trophies, and five Champions League trophies since joining the club in 2007.
After a perfect send off with the club’s fourteenth Champions League title win, he is set to head for a new challenge in the coming months. He has shown that he can play at the top level, but not at the one required at Real Madrid. As a result, Marcelo will be staying in Europe with another club in a less competitive league.
Fellow club legend and compatriot Roberto Carlos followed a similar trajectory in his career. He played in Turkey before a spell in India, as he eventually hung up his boots. While Marcelo could be more tempted by a move back home, it remains to be seen how things pan out for him.