Marcelo’s contract with Fluminense came to an unexpected end after tensions surfaced between the 36-year-old left-back and head coach Mano Menezes.
The club announced the mutual decision on Saturday, a day after the player and former Brazilian national team coach clashed over an on-field substitution during a league match.
“A graduate of the youth teams, Marcelo returned to Fluminense in 2023, having participated in the conquest of the 2023 Campeonato Carioca titles, the unprecedented 2023 Conmebol Libertadores titles, and the 2024 Recopa,” the club stated in a press release. “The institutional and emotional ties between Fluminense and Marcelo continue to be maintained. The athlete’s name was recently immortalized at the Xerém training center stadium. Fluminense thanks Marcelo and will continue, as always, to support his success in all his challenges.”
Despite the player’s hopes of extending his contract beyond the end of the year, the disagreement with Menezes reportedly tipped the scales. During the recent 2-2 draw with Gremio at the Maracanã, Marcelo was called to enter in injury time, but after a brief exchange, Menezes withdrew the decision. “I was about to put Marcelo on, but I heard something I didn’t like, so I changed my mind,” Menezes later said, without going into further details.
🚨🇧🇷 Real Madrid legend Marcelo, now available as free agent as his contract at Fluminense has been terminated. pic.twitter.com/9xEplRa4gy
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 2, 2024
The incident fueled speculation about Marcelo’s future, and the club ultimately decided on the mutual termination. Known as a beloved figure among Fluminense fans, Marcelo had returned to the club in early 2023 after more than 15 years in European football and was given an emotional welcome back at Maracanã. Fluminense even named the stadium at their training ground in his honor.
Marcelo’s impact on Fluminense included helping secure their first-ever Copa Libertadores title and lifting the Recopa Sudamericana in February. His departure leaves the club at a challenging moment, with Fluminense currently fighting to stay out of relegation as they sit three points above the drop zone with six games left in the season.
