Marcelo and Flumiense part ways following the sideline incident

Brazilian football legend Marcelo has parted ways with Flumiense after a sideline dispute between Marcelo and Flumiense manager Mano Menezes during the Brazilian Serie A clash between Flumiense and Germio.

Following the incident, the club which is already struggling in the league this season, announced via an official statement that the 36-year-old defender's contract has been terminated by mutual agreement. 

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.

NOTA OFICIAL

O Fluminense FC e Marcelo Vieira comunicam o encerramento do contrato em comum acordo entre as partes.

Formado nas categorias de base, Marcelo retornou ao Fluminense em 2023, tendo participado da conquista dos títulos do Campeonato Carioca 2023, dos inéditos… pic.twitter.com/vVR1TtnzXX

— Fluminense F.C. (@FluminenseFC) November 2, 2024

What happened exactly?

Flumiense faced off against Gremio in the Brazilian Serie A at the Maracana Stadium on 2 November 2024. Both sides are struggling in the league this season and this match was very important for both teams to progress in the table.

However, Flumiense was leading by 2-1 in the 90th minute of the game when Menezes called up Marcelo to substitute him on and he was ready on the sideline as well. But the dispute broke out as the cameras captured that Menezes was giving instructions to Marcelo but the player nodded in a notion of disapproval. The coach quickly changed his mind and told Marcelo to go back to the bench and subbed on John Kennedy.

The match ended in a 2-2 draw.

"Marcelo":
Porque Fluminense anunció la rescisión de su contrato luego del cruce que tuvo con el entrenador Mano Menezespic.twitter.com/KPJnbOzOjR pic.twitter.com/8ZgQY7QAe9

— ¿Por qué es tendencia? (@porquetendencia) November 2, 2024

Coach Mano Menezes explained the incident in the post-match interview:

"I was going to put Marcelo in at that point, but I heard something I didn’t like and changed my mind"

"I don’t think it was because he came in that the team had any kind of problem. It’s not easy to come in at that point in the game, you know that, it’s a game-ending moment. He wasn’t coming in to solve any problems, he was coming in to maintain what we had. And there were two or three minutes left in the game."

Marcelo's departure ends his second stint at the Brazilian club as he spent his boyhood at Flumienese Academy before starting his professional career. He played for Flumiense U-17 and the Flumiense senior team until 2005 before moving to Real Madrid in 2007 where he became a legend, winning 6 LaLigas, 5 UCLs before leaving Madrid in 2022. 

Read Also | Marcelo's Trophy Wins at Real Madrid

Marcelo won the Copa Libertadores with Flumiense in 2022-23 season, right after his return to Brazil, and he also won the Recopa last season. Marcelo now departs Flumiense and will be available as a free agent.

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