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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Marcelo free agent in February</li><li>Discussed Al-Nassr move with Ronaldo</li><li>But felt he needed to return to Brazil</li></ul>

Revealed: Marcelo talked to Cristiano Ronaldo about reunion with ex-Real Madrid team-mate at Al-Nassr

The pair enjoyed many illustrious seasons at Real Madrid, with the Brazilian eventually calling time on his spell in the Spanish capital back in 2022. But an initial move to Olympiacos didn't go to plan and Marcelo <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/real-madrid-brazil-marcelo-terminate-olympiacos-contract-five-months-greek/blt043f28b58ab94dc5" target="_blank">elected to leave just five months later</a>, making himself a free agent back in February of this year.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The five-time Champions League winner claimed he had ample opportunities waiting for him, including several offers from Saudi Arabia. One of these was from Ronaldo's current employers, Al-Nassr, and Marcelo revealed the pair did discuss the possibility of reigniting their partnership after five years apart. Ultimately, though, the 35-year-old felt an innate longing to return to his boyhood club, almost a decade later.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Marcelo told the Charla podcast (via <a href="https://www.ojogo.pt/1238217659/marcelo-falou-com-ronaldo-sobre-o-al-nassr-algo-me-disse-que-tinha-de-voltar-ao-brasil/" target="_blank">O Jogo</a>): "We [Marcelo and Ronaldo] talked about this some time ago. I had some proposals to leave, not just there [Al Nassr], but I needed to return here [Brazil], to my roots. Something told me that I had to go back."

WHAT MARCELO SAID

Indeed, the veteran Brazilian completed a fairytale return to his boyhood club. Marcelo helped the Rio de Janeiro side to their <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/watch-marcelo-tears-fluminense-winner-copa-libertadores-final-boca-junior-real-madrid-legend-trophy/blte638702cc0652350" target="_blank">first ever Copa Libertadores title</a> earlier this month, after a 2-1 win over Boca Juniors in the final. The full-back will hope this continental success can lift Fluminense in the league, when they face up against Sao Paulo on November 23.

WHAT NEXT FOR MARCELO?

Revealed: Marcelo talked to Cristiano Ronaldo about reunion with ex-Real Madrid team-mate at Al-Nassr | Goal.com

Brazil legend Marcelo has revealed he spoke to former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo about joining him at Al-Nassr before his move to Fluminense.