Brazilian defender Marcelo has agreed an extension on his current contract with Real Madrid till 2022, the club announced on Wednesday.
Real Madrid have made an official statement to announce that they have reached an agreement with Marcelo to extend his current contract with the club. The extension will see that Brazilian left-back remain at Santiago Bernabeu till June 30, 2022.
Marcelo joined Real Madrid from boyhood club Fluminense as a prodigious 18-year-old in the winter transfer window of 2007, brought in as the long-term successor to his compatriot Roberto Carlos. After initially being deployed as a left-back, the player found himself being played as a winger for a couple of seasons.
The Brazilian flourished in the more advanced role as he had often been found wanting during his initial days as a defensive player. It was not until Jose Mourinho took charge at the Bernabeu though, that Marcelo realised his true potential as a left-back.
OFFICIAL: Marcelo has signed a new contract with Real Madrid until June 2022. pic.twitter.com/ohyuJr8ka6
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) September 13, 2017
Under the Portuguese manager, the player added defensive solidity to the attacking intent he had already been projecting on the field. Additionally, he forged a strong partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo on the left flank, which has gone on to serve Real Madrid well for more than half a decade now.
Since the turn of the decade, Marcelo has gone from strength to strength, having cemented his place on the left side of defence, and has been widely regarded as one of the best left-backs in the world for several years now.
Over his decade long career with Los Blancos, the player has also racked up every major honour at the club level, winning a total 17 trophies. And even though he’s only 29, and at the peak of his powers, he is considered as a veteran of sorts, and is one of the three vice captains to Sergio Ramos at the Bernabeu.
Having amassed over 400 appearances for Real Madrid, the player doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon, having committed his future to the club for five more years. Los Blancos also completed the move for Theo Hernandez in the summer, but it looks like the French youngster will have to be the understudy to Marcelo, at least for the foreseeable future.
For now though, Real Madrid fans would be thrilled at the news of one of their most consistent performers of recent seasons extending his stay at the Bernabeu for the long-term.
