Real Madrid legend Marcelo has had his contract terminated at his boyhood club after an extraordinary incident with his manager.
Marcelo developed into one of the best left-backs in football history at Los Blancos, spending 15 years with the club and winning six La Liga titles and five Champions Leagues.
He left in 2022 and had a brief spell at Olympiacos in Greece before sealing a fairytale return to Fluminense, where he's played 68 times and won the Copa Libertadores.
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But the 36-year-old's second stint has ended on an incredibly sour note. On Saturday, Fluminense drew 2-2 with Gremio in the Brazilian top flight after Reinaldo scored a 99th minute penalty.
Marcelo was set to come on as a substitute as stoppage time approached, with the hosts leading 2-1. He was stripped and ready to come on, only for manager Mano Menezes to rant and rave at him before pushing him away and ordering him to sit back down.
There were suggestions that Marcelo was not listening to instructions given to him by the coach and he later returned to the bench with his bib back on.
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The scenes were like nothing fans had ever seen before and garnered plenty of reaction online.
But things got worse for Marcelo as it proved to be his final act in a Fluminense shirt. In a statement, the club confirmed his deal has been terminated by mutual consent.
"Fluminense FC and Marcelo Vieira announce the termination of the contract by mutual agreement between the parties," the statement read.
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"Trained in the youth categories, Marcelo returned to Fluminense in 2023, having participated in the conquest of the 2023 Campeonato Carioca titles, the unprecedented 2023 Conmebol Libertadores titles and the 2024 Recopa.
"The institutional and emotional ties between Fluminense and Marcelo continue to be maintained. The athlete's name was recently immortalized in the stadium at the Xerém training center.
"Fluminense thanks Marcelo and will continue, as always, to support his success in all his challenges."
Topics: Real Madrid, Marcelo, Brazil