REAL MADRID legend Marcelo has been SACKED by Fluminense after he disagreed with his own manager’s tactics and was not allowed to come off the bench during their game on Saturday.
The five-time Champions League winner, 36, left the Bernabeu in 2022 after 15 hugely successful years in the Spanish capital.
He joined Olympiacos for one season, before returning to his home country last year when he signed for boyhood club Fluminense.
Marcelo has played 68 games for the Brazilian side – who sit 12th in the top flight.
But he was denied another appearance on Saturday after an incredible touchline spat with manager Mano Menezes.
The left-back was stripped and ready to come on in the 90th minute with Fluminense holding onto a 2-1 lead over Gremio.
Marcelo was preparing to enter the fray as part of a double substitution which also included the introduction of Marquinhos – the winger on loan from Arsenal.
But as Menezes gave Marcelo instructions on the sideline, the ex-Real Madrid man appeared to refute with what he was being told.
This led to the manager becoming furious, before he pushed Marcelo and told him to sit down again.
Marcelo walked to the bench and pulled his bib back on.
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And he ended up watching his team concede a stoppage-time equaliser as Fluminense drew 2-2 with Gremio.
Now Fluminense have released a statement confirming Marcelo has left the club.
It read: “Fluminense FC and Marcelo Vieira announce the termination of the contract by mutual agreement between the parties.
“Trained in the youth categories, 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 institutional and emotional ties between Fluminense and Marcelo continue to be maintained. The athlete’s name was recently immortalized in the stadium at the Xerém training center.
“Fluminense thanks Marcelo and will continue, as always, to support his success in all his challenges.”
Reacting to Marcelo’s altercation with Menezes, journalist Tancredi Palmeri said: “I have never seen anything similar in elite football.”
While one fan replied: “Respect to the coach for not backing down!”
Another added: “This is so disrespectful.”
And a third said: “As it should be, he’s not bigger than the coach or the club.”
