Category: International Sports

Brazil defender Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior, known as Marcelo, has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36.

The left-back, one of the most decorated players in history, played 58 times for Brazil.

After coming through the ranks of Brazilian club Fluminense, Marcelo joined Real Madrid in 2007 at the age of 18.

He won 25 pieces of major silverware in 15 years at the Bernabeu, including five Champions League titles and six La Liga titles.

“At 18, Real Madrid knocked on my door and I arrived here. Now, I can proudly say that I am a true Madrileno,” Marcelo said in a video on his social media.

“Sixteen seasons, 25 titles, five Champions Leagues, one of the captains and so many magical nights at the Bernabeu. What a journey!”

“My journey as a player ends here, but I still have so much to give to football. Thank you for everything.”

Marcelo was named club captain in 2021, becoming the first non-Spaniard to be given the armband at the club in 117 years.

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez said: “Marcelo is one of the greatest left-backs in the history of Real Madrid and world football, and we have had the privilege of enjoying him for a long time.

“He is one of our greatest legends and Real Madrid is and will always be his home.”

He left Madrid at the end of the 2021-22 season to join Greek side Olympiacos, but terminated his deal just five months after joining.

Marcelo re-joined boyhood club Fluminense in 2023 and spent two seasons back at the club, making 68 appearances.

The full-back left by mutual consent last November, following a public falling out with manager Mano Menezes.

Captain of Spanish club Las Palmas, Kirian Rodríguez, says he will be unavailable for the remainder of the season after cancer relapse. 

The 28-year-old missed 11 months of action after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2022.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s immune system that fights disease and germs.

“Yesterday I was informed that I have relapsed with cancer,” said Rodriguez.

“I will have to stop playing again and go through another round of chemotherapy to fight the disease.

“I hope to see them all again in 2025/26.”

Rodriguez went through six sessions of chemotherapy after being diagnosed at the age of 26.

He completed his chemotherapy cycle in November 2022 and was given the all-clear by January 2023.

The midfielder returned to action for Las Palmas in April 2023.

He has featured in 21 of Las Palmas’ 22 La Liga fixtures this term, with the club currently 15th in the league table and two points above the relegation zone.

Brazil striker Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior said the feeling of playing for Santos again after 12 years away from the club was indescribable.

The 33-year-old returned to the Brazilian club on January 31, 2025, from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, 12 years after he left to join Barcelona in 2013.

Taking to the field at half-time when Santos held a 1-0 lead, Neymar impressed in the second half in his return from injury as Botafogo fought back to earn a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Vila Belmiro.

“I love Santos. “I can’t find the words to express the feeling when you love something. I love Santos very much and I can’t find the words to describe the feeling I felt whn I stepped out onto the pitch today,” Neymar said after the match.

“I need minutes, games. I’m not at 100 per cent. I didn’t expect to run and dribble so much tonight. I think I’ll feel better in four or five games.”

A number of Botafogo players and members of the club’s backroom staff sought out Neymar on the pitch after the final whistle to request photos with the former Brazil captain. 

Neymar won six trophies during his first stint with Santos, including the 2011 Copa Libertadores.

He left the club having scored 136 goals in 225 appearances by the age of 21.

During his time away, Neymar became the most expensive player of all time when he left Barcelona to join Paris St-Germain in a £200m deal in 2017.

But a move to Saudi Arabia in 2022 turned sour when Neymar tore his anterior cruciate ligament, which limited him to just seven appearances for Al-Hilal.

Santos, the former club of Brazil legend Pele, were relegated from the top division for the first time in their 111-year history in 2023.

They earned promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking last season by winning Serie B. Neymar has 128 caps for Brazil.