Marcelo started playing futsal at the age of 9 and by the age of 13 he was on the books of Fluminense. He comes from a very poor background and even considered quitting football, but his club considered him as one of their "Crown Jewels" and ensured that he continued playing.
[edit] Real Madrid
Marcelo joined Real Madrid during the January transfer window in 2007. On his arrival, club president Ramón Calderón said, "He is an important signing for us. He is a young player who will inject some freshness into the side and is part of our plan to bring younger players into the squad. We're very happy because he's a pearl that half of Europe wanted."[2] Many spectators hailed him as Roberto Carlos' potential successor in the left-back role.
Marcelo during 2008–09 season
Marcelo made his debut as a substitute in the 2–0 defeat against Deportivo La Coruña on 7 January 2007.[3] On 14 April 2007, then coach Fabio Capello gave Marcelo his first start for Real Madrid against Racing de Santander. Real Madrid controversially lost the game 2–1[4]. In the 2007/08 season, Marcelo had started nearly all of Madrid's league games under the new manager Bernd Schuster. His ability, speed running across the field, attack, and defence had enabled him to become a very important player for Real Madrid.
After a string of poor performances in 2009, Marcelo found himself on the bench for much of the remaining season while under new manager Juande Ramos, mainly as deputy to the more defensive minded Gabriel Heinze. Juande Ramos deployed Marcelo as a left winger on more than one occasion, and the Brazilian adapted well to his new role. He scored his first goal after receiving a heel flick from striker Gonzalo Higuaín and slotting the ball past the goalkeeper in Real Madrid's 4–0 thumping of Sporting de Gijón. After the game, coach Ramos declared that Marcelo's future would be positioned as a left winger, but will push back to defense when required. Marcelo scored his second goal for Real Madrid in their recent victory over Almeria, a powerful strike from outside of the box with his weaker right foot.
