Bizarre manager row: Real Madrid legend has contract TERMINATED

Tom Weber

Updated: 3 Nov 2024 06:27 CST
3 min read

Real Madrid legend Marcelo is a free agent after having his contract terminated by Fluminense following a bizarre - and public - falling out with his manager.

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The iconic left-back is still going strong at 36 years of age, but he will now have to find a new employer, or perhaps retire. Fluminense have announced that Marcelo's contract has been terminated 'by mutual consent.'

"Trained in the youth categories, Marcelo returned to Fluminense in 2023, participated in the conquest of the 2023 Campeonato Carioca titles, the unprecedented 2023 Conmebol Libertadores titles and the 2024 Recopa," a club statement read.

"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 centre. Fluminense thanks Marcelo and will continue, as always, to support his success in all his challenges."

What this statement fails to mention, however, is that the defender's contract has been terminated after a bizarre row with manager Mano Menezes.

O mano Menezes fez com o Marcelo o que o mesmo costuma fazer com as crianças... gostei muito, parabéns mano Menezes, eu passo pano.
A soberba precede a queda.
Passou vergonha Marcelo. pic.twitter.com/aX7N4g3TdY
— Rodrigo Henrique 🔴⚫ (@Rodrigo67010057) November 2, 2024

Marcelo put in his place

Fluminense hosted Gremio on Saturday and, with the score 2-1 in favour of the home side, Menezes had wanted to substitute Marcelo into the game.

In a clip that has subsequently gone viral on social media, Marcelo can be seen shaking his head while receiving tactical instructions from the manager to which Menezes reacted furiously.

Visibly enraged, the 62-year-old pushed the Real Madrid legend onto the bench, with cameras capturing an embarrassed Marcelo putting on his bib again.

Marcelo remained an unused substitute and the game ultimately finished 2-2 after crazy scenes late on. Gremio equalised in the 99th minute, with 41-year-old former Serie A star Felipe Melo receiving a late red car.