Marcelo: Real Madrid's unsung hero
Ask the question of who Real Madrid's biggest big name player is and most will come up with the same name (hint - he has a habit for scoring stoppage time headers when it matters most). Indeed, Sergio Ramos has become an almost mythical figure at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu given how he has saved his team, but he isn't alone in thriving on the big occasion.
When Real Madrid need players to stand up and be counted Marcelo is continually one of the first on his feet. This was illustrated by the Brazilian's performance against Real Betis last weekend. Ramos might have scored the late winner, as he so often does, but Marcelo was the one driving Real Madrid forward in search of the goal that would have, and did, take them above Barcelona and into top spot. It certainly wasn't the first time the Brazilian has helped to dig his team out of a hole.
Of course, the left back has long been a firm favourite of Madridistas, but his role in this Real Madrid team is largely understated. He might not have the Ballon d'Ors that Cristiano Ronaldo has, or the price tag and goals of Gareth Bale or Karim Benzema, but Marcelo is a true great of his generation. It's time that was fully recognised.
Signed as a Roberto Carlos-lite from Fluminense in 2007, Marcelo has now eclipsed the Real Madrid legend he spent the early part of his career being compared to.
"I hope Marcelo is not better than me, but he is doing very well," Carlos laughed in an interview last year, hinting at how there is now a genuine debate to be had over which Brazilian left-back was the better player for Real Madrid. "It is necessary to see, but now he is the best left-sided defender that there is in the world. Technically he is better; I was more power and punch."
From a tactical perspective, Marcelo is a more significant figure than Carlos ever was. Listen to the 28-year-old speak, even in the somewhat sterile setting of a pre-match press conference, and it becomes clear rather quickly that he isn't the most orthodox footballing character. Although you probably deduced that from his his eccentric dress sense and eye-catching hairstyle. He isn't the most orthodox of left-backs either.
In fact, Marcelo isn't really a left back at all. Describing him as such doesn't really do justice to the importance of the Brazilian's fury at Real Madrid. He's not really a left wing back either. He is Real Madrid's whole left side, dominating an entire flank all on his own, whenever he plays. It's been that way for a decade.
With Marcelo on the pitch Zinedine Zidane, and all of his predecessors who have coached the Brazilian, need not worry too much with anything concerning the left wing. He is relentless in his running of the touchline, providing an outlet from start to finish. Some may bemoan his occasional defensive naivety, but to highlight that shows a misunderstanding of what he offers and why Real Madrid can't do without him.
"It is a joy to watch him play," Zidane gushed after a pre-season game during the summer. "He is showing himself to be a captain. He is spectacular and it is important for a captain to lead by example." Much like was the case with Dani Alves at Barcelona, it might not be until Marcelo no longer calls the Bernabeu home that his true contribution is acknowledged by more than just the faithful.
Given how much he has achieved over the course of 10 years at Real Madrid, it's remarkable that he's only 28. It's possible he might just be coming into his best years as a professional, which is quite the thought considering how he has been the most consistently excellent left-back in the European game since making the move to the Spanish capital in 2007.
The 'modern full-back' is spoken about as a position in its own right and Marcelo has set the precedent during his time in Spain. When this generation of Real Madrid is looked back upon, the glories reminisced over, Marcelo will deserve his fair share of the credit.
