Cristiano Ronaldo joined Real Madrid for a record £80m transfer fee in 2009, but his arrival left one of his new team-mates considering leaving the club after an earlier clash.
Cristiano Ronaldo helped usher in a new era of success for Real Madrid, but his arrival almost drove Marcelo out of the Bernabeu. In 2009, Real Madrid approved a world record £80m transfer for Ronaldo, following the Portuguese superstar’s remarkable performances for Manchester United.
Ronaldo won three consecutive Premier League titles with Manchester United and the Champions League in 2008, receiving his first Ballon d’Or award in December of that year.
Ronaldo joined the Spanish giants alongside Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso in the same transfer window as Real Madrid attempted to create a new generation of Galacticos. Although success did not come immediately with this expensive squad, Ronaldo later shone for Real Madrid as the club won four Champions League titles in five years.
It was a replay of La Liga giants Real Madrid’s European dominance in the 1950s. And Brazilian defender Marcelo was part of all four of Real Madrid’s Champions League triumphs alongside Ronaldo. However, Marcelo had considered leaving Real Madrid after hearing of Ronaldo’s arrival, having had a heated clash with the Portuguese striker a few months earlier.
“My relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo started with a fight,” Marcelo revealed with a laugh on La Revuelta, “I kicked him, he was very fast. He passed by, elbowed me. I kicked him, and he grabbed my neck. I tried too, but he was very tall.”
The incident occurred during Brazil’s 6-2 win over Portugal in November 2008. “I got a message that Real Madrid were going to sign Ronaldo in a few months. And I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m leaving,'” Marcelo admitted.
The pair went on to become close teammates at Real Madrid for nine years, but they still grabbed each other by the neck, this time in a very different way. “We’ve grabbed each other’s necks in training many times, it’s normal,” Marcelo said.
Together, they won two La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys, three FIFA Club World Cups and four Champions Leagues at Real Madrid. Marcelo spent 16 years at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning a total of 25 trophies.
The 36-year-old left Real Madrid in 2022 and had spells with Olympiacos and Fluminense. Marcelo announced his retirement last month and Ronaldo congratulated him on his illustrious career.
“My brother, your career is incredible,” Ronaldo wrote on social media about Marcelo, “We have been through so much together, many years of achievements, victories and unforgettable moments. You are more than a teammate, a lifelong companion. Thank you for everything, my friend. I wish you all the best in this new phase of your life.”
