Fluminense terminate former Real Madrid star’s contract after touchline spat with manager

Fluminense have announced the termination of former Real Madrid left-back Marcelo’s contract by mutual agreement, shortly after he was seen in a tense exchange with manager Mano Menezes during a match, Soccernet.football reports.

Marcelo was about to come off the bench in Friday’s game against Gremio, but as he received final instructions on the sideline, he seemed to react to a comment from Menezes, prompting the manager to send him back to the bench.

“I was going to bring Marcelo in at that time, but I heard one thing that I did not like and I changed my mind,” Menezes told the media after the game as quoted by ESPN.

“He wasn’t going in to solve any problem for us, he was stepping in to let us keep what we had [on the score sheet]. It was just two, three minutes to the end.”

Following the incident, Fluminense announced that Marcelo’s contract was terminated by mutual agreement, two months before its scheduled end.

“Fluminense FC and Marcelo Vieira announce the termination of the contract by mutual agreement between the parties,” a 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 Xerem training centre.

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

Marcelo previously spent five months at Greek Super League side Olympiacos where his contract was also terminated abruptly. The veteran full-back then returned to where it all began, rejoining Fluminense in February 2023.

At the peak of his powers, the Brazilian enjoyed fifteen trophy-laden years at Real Madrid. He made 546 appearances for Los Blancos, winning five Champions League crowns, six La Liga titles, four Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups, two Copas del Rey and five Spanish Super Cups.