Real Madrid Legend Marcelo Has Contract Terminated

Real Madrid legend Marcelo had his contract terminated by Fluminense on Saturday, as confirmed by the Rio de Janeiro club.

"Fluminense FC and Marcelo Vieira communicate the termination of the contract by mutual agreement between the parties," began a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Fluminense noted how Marcelo came through its academy but returned to the club as a veteran in 2023 while having participated in the conquest of Campeonato Carioca, Libertadores and Recopa titles.

"The institutional and affective ties between Fluminense and Marcelo are still maintained. The name of the athlete was recently immortalized in the Xerem training center stadium," the club pointed out.

"Fluminense thanks Marcelo and will continue, as always, to be proud of his success in all his challenges," it also vowed in conclusion.

The termination of Marcelo's contract comes after a sideline bust up with manager Mano Menezes.

The 36-year-old was preparing to come on as a substitute while Fluminense was defending a 2-1 lead at home to Cruzeiro earlier this week.

As video footage on social media has shown, however, Marcelo and former Brazil boss Menezes were involved in a heated exchange which resulted in the Los Blancos icon not entering the fray and instead being ordered to return to the bench.

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"I was going to put Marcelo on, but there was something I didn't like and I changed my mind. So I put John Kennedy on instead," Menezes said after the match, which finished in a 2-2 draw.

Marcelo's contract was set to expire on December 31 in any event, but it has been terminated ahead of schedule with six Brasileirao matchdays remaining for Fluminense.

After lingering in the relegation zone at the start of the season, which resulted in the architect of its maiden Libertadores win Fernando Diniz being fired, Fluminense is currently in 12th position in the Brazilian top flight table and could qualify for the second string Sudamericana continental competition as things stand.

Marcelo's next steps in football remain unclear. Based in his hometown once more after more than a decade-and-a-half in Europe, he could stay put in Rio where his youngest son Liam currently plays for Fluminense's academy.

Over the water in Spain, though, Marcelo's eldest son Enzo continues to impress in Madrid's La Fabrica and is a La Roja international.