page_title: Marcelo (footballer, born 1988)
section_title: Style of play
hierarchical_section_title: Marcelo (footballer, born 1988) / Style of play
caption_attribution_description: Русский: День вратаря Очоа, Бразилия 0:0 в ФорталезеEnglish: On the day of the keeper Ochoa, Brazil is on the 0:0 in Fortaleza Português: Em dia do goleiro Ochoa, Brasil fica no 0:0 em Fortaleza
context_page_description: Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior, known as Marcelo, is a Brazilian professional footballer for Spanish club Real Madrid and the Brazil national team. He plays mainly as a left back, but can also operate as a left winger. He is widely considered as one of the greatest left back of all time.
  In 2005, he won a Campeonato Carioca with Fluminense and in 2006, he was named to the Brasileirão Team of the Season, at age 18. By the end of the year, he joined Real Madrid for an $8 million fee. There, he established himself and won 22 trophies including four UEFA Champions Leagues, as well as five La Liga titles. He has been named to the FIFPro World XI six times, the UEFA Team of the Year three times and La Liga's Team of the Season in 2016.
  Marcelo debuted for Brazil in 2006 against Wales, scoring a goal. He was called up for the 2008 Olympic squad, where he won a bronze medal. Four years later, he was part of Brazil's 2012 Olympic team, as one of the three over-age players, where Brazil won a silver medal. Marcelo was selected as a member of Brazil to play in the 2013 Confederations Cup and started all five matches, as Brazil won 3–0 against Spain in the final.
context_section_description: Known mainly for his offensive capabilities, trickery, and technical qualities, Marcelo plays mainly as a left-sided attacking full-back or wing-back, but can also operate as a left winger, or even in midfield. His flair, grace, touch, and control on the ball, coupled with his speed, agility, and dribbling skills, frequently see him beat opponents in one on one situations with elaborate feints, such as step overs. His explosive pace, energy, and clever movement, both on and off the ball, also make him a dangerous threat on counter-attacks; he is capable of penetrating between the opposing defensive lines with attacking runs, or getting up the left flank into good offensive positions from which he can receive the ball often, and provide width for his team, essentially acting as an additional forward. Moreover, his crossing ability, precise passing, and his eye for the final ball also allow him to function as a secondary playmaker for his team, and enable him to link-up with other players, create goalscoring chances, and provide assists for teammates. While naturally left footed, he is also adept with his right foot, which enables him to cut inside from the left wing, attempt a shot from outside the area, and even score goals. Despite his ability going forward, however, the defensive side of Marcelo's game has been brought into question by pundits on occasion, who have cited his defensive solidity, work-rate, concentration, positioning, and awareness as areas of weakness in need of improvement.
  After his breakthrough season, in 2011 Marcelo was praised by football legends such as Paolo Maldini and Diego Maradona, the latter of whom also called him the best player in the world in his position. Due to his attacking prowess, nationality, and playing role, Marcelo has frequently been compared to compatriot Roberto Carlos, who himself described Marcelo as his heir in 2012, and also labelled him as the world's best left back; regarding Marcelo's technical skills, he commented: "Marcelo possesses a better technical ability than me." Due to his skill, attacking abilities, achievements, and decisive performances in important games, Marcelo is considered by many in the sport as the best left back in the world, one of Brazil's best players ever, and one of the greatest left backs of all time.
caption: Marcelo taking on Rafael Márquez at the 2014 FIFA World Cup
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