Florentino Pérez: "Your fantasy and your happiness have been essential for our successes"

MADRID, 13 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The president of Real Madrid, Florentino Pérez, has assured that the Brazilian side Marcelo Vieira, who leaves the club after 16 years, will always be "a great reference" for Real Madrid and for world football, and considers that his "fantasy" and his "happiness" have been "essential" for the achievement of the titles in recent seasons.

"We want to pay a passionate tribute to our great captain, a tribute to the young man who became a man at the Santiago Bernabéu, a tribute to the player who has become one of our greatest legends. We are talking about the player with the most titles in history of Real Madrid, we are talking about Marcelo", he began his farewell speech.

The Whites' top president, who presented the player with the club's Gold and Diamond badge, praised the successful career of the honoree. "Dear Marcelo, you have fulfilled all the dreams that brought you to the club when you were barely 18 years old. Since then, you have been the foreign player with the most seasons at the club, you have worn this badge and this shirt for 16 years, and with them you have won absolutely everything: five European Cups, four Club World Cups, three European Super Cups, six Leagues, two King's Cups and five Spanish Super Cups, a total of 25 titles, in addition to being chosen six times in the FIFA world eleven and three in the UEFA team of the year," he said.

"You have played 546 games for Real Madrid and have scored 38 goals. You are one of the greatest full-backs in the history of our club and, of course, in the history of world football. The madridistas are grateful to you for leaving your soul in each game, for that talent and that Brazilian quality that have made you an unrepeatable player. Unrepeatable, moreover, for your way of being and for your behavior in life. Your fantasy and your happiness were always fundamental for the team to achieve its goals. big hits," he continued.

In addition, he highlighted the optimism and the way of being of the former Real Madrid player. "At the Bernabéu party, when all of Real Madrid shared their emotions for the fourteenth European Cup, you said that this was a time to be happy. Today you must feel like a privileged person who has been able to move the hearts of so many people, especially that of millions of madridistas all over the world. You should feel proud of everything that your loved ones have been able to enjoy with your spectacular career", he underlined.

He also had "words of affection" for his family, his wife, his children, his parents and his "dear grandfather Pedro." "He took you to train and traveled 100 kilometers every day in that orange beetle. Marcelo, everyone feels proud wherever they are of what you represent for them and for Real Madrid," he added.

On the other hand, Florentino Pérez stated that "beyond the titles, the values ​​of Real Madrid are always present". "Values ​​that were transmitted to you when you arrived, the same ones that you have transmitted and that you will continue to transmit so that this universal feeling that is Real Madrid continues to grow. Being the player with the most titles in the history of Real Madrid is only within the reach of exceptional players , players born to promote the myth of our club, but you also know that it carries with it a very high responsibility. You will forever be a great reference for all those who love this sport, especially for the boys and girls who adore you", he explained.

"Today, you and your family should be very proud of what you have achieved at the best club in the world, the one with fourteen European Cups. As president of Real Madrid, I want to thank you on behalf of all of us who are part of this institution and all the Madridista members and supporters, whom you have conquered with your way of understanding and executing football. I have been fortunate to have shared exciting moments with you, and I am sure that you will always be one of the great representatives of the Real Madrid. I wish you the best for you and yours", he continued.

"Real Madrid is and will always be your home, the place where you experienced magical and unforgettable moments, where you grew as a player and as a person and where you made your big dreams come true. Thank you very much for everything you have given us and for everything you have given us. you made them enjoy playing the ball. Our fans will always have you in their hearts and that you are a source of pride for them", he concluded.