During his appearance on the Podpah podcast in Brazil, Real Madrid legend Marcelo made a surprising confession about a crucial Champions League goal he assisted for Cristiano Ronaldo in the 2016/2017 quarterfinals. The match in question saw Los Blancos face off against Bayern Munich, with Ronaldo scoring two goals in the first leg to give Madrid a 2-1 advantage. The return fixture at the Bernabeu ended in a 3-3 draw, leading to extra time.
In the 105th minute, Ronaldo scored a goal to level the scoreline, but it was a controversial goal in the 110th minute that ultimately sealed the victory for Madrid. Marcelo admitted that he passed the ball to Ronaldo in an offside position, knowing that it was against the rules, but laughed and said, “go and complain now.” Despite knowing it was offside, Marcelo opted to pass to Ronaldo instead of taking the shot himself, seeing the Portuguese striker next to him on the pitch.
Despite their initial clash on the field representing Brazil and Portugal, Marcelo and Ronaldo became close friends once the latter joined Madrid from Manchester United in 2009. Marcelo recalled a moment where he had argued with Ronaldo just a month prior to his signing, fearing that the club president might expel him following the incident. However, the altercation between the two players, where Ronaldo grabbed Marcelo by the throat, was never discussed by the club or the players themselves.
Despite not receiving an apology from Ronaldo or offering one himself, Marcelo and Ronaldo put the incident behind them and played crucial roles in Madrid’s success, winning four Champions League titles together before Ronaldo’s departure for Juventus in 2018. This partnership led to a dynasty at the club, with both players contributing significantly to Madrid’s success in European competitions during their time together.
Marcelo’s confession on the podcast shed light on a controversial moment in a crucial Champions League match, where his decision to pass to Ronaldo in an offside position ultimately led to Madrid’s victory. Despite knowing that the goal was offside, Marcelo’s friendship with Ronaldo and their mutual success at Madrid overshadowed the incident. The duo went on to become integral players for the club, playing key roles in the team’s dominance in Europe and securing multiple Champions League titles during their time together.
The bond between Marcelo and Ronaldo, forged through their shared experiences at Real Madrid, transcended any on-field conflicts they may have had in the past. Despite their clash representing their respective national teams, the two players formed a strong friendship that contributed to the success of the team during their time together. Marcelo’s honesty and openness about the controversial goal he assisted for Ronaldo provided insight into the dynamics of their relationship and their impact on Real Madrid’s historic achievements.