‘Having to play under the pressure of being the new Roberto Carlos, who was also my role model, made joining Real Madrid even harder’ Marcelo opens up on what it’s like to replace an icon

26 Feb 2000: Roberto Carlos of Real Madrid celebrates during the Spanish Primera Liga match against Barcelona played at the Bernabeau Stadium in Madrid, Spain. The match ended 3-0 to Real Madrid. \ Photos by Nuno Correia. \ Mandatory Credit: AllsportUK /Allsport.

Replacing a bona fide legend is never an easy task at any club, not least at Real Madrid. Roberto Carlos spent 11 seasons at the Bernabeu, winning four La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues as one of the club’s Galacticos, redefining what a modern full-back could do. So when an 18-year-old Marcelo made the move to Europe from Fluminense in January 2007 and was immediately tagged as his countryman’s successor, the stakes could barely have been higher.