The captain who lifted the 14th title and the international record-holder shared their experiences with students at Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid Universidad Europea.
Marcelo was one of the main attractions on the second day of White Week for students at Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid Universidad Europea. Real Madrid’s Director of Institutional Relations, Emilio Butragueño, chaired the event, during which the Brazilian legend, who won 25 titles (including 5 Champions League titles) in 546 matches with our team, said: “From the moment I arrived, I was shown the greatness of this club. I always tried to play in my own style, which is very lively and close to the fans. In the end, being part of the best team in the world makes the victories even greater, and that allows me to reach more people”.
“If you ask any child, they all want to wear the Real Madrid shirt. I always knew that the energy here was different. I was lucky enough to be here for many years and I learnt to understand that this isn’t just a team, but so much more. The scale of this club is enormous and, to be captain, you have to set an example. It’s a privilege to be part of the history of this badge.”
His career
“Real Madrid is a huge club, and for that reason, it must always have the best players. When you arrive at a very young age, you find yourself alongside highly experienced players and you learn from them. Thanks to that, I was able to win five Champions League titles, and that sort of thing can only happen here. What’s more, at this club you always have the ambition to win more. As for staying motivated to keep winning, I don’t know what Teresa Perales, who is here today, would say, but that taste for victory makes you want to do it again. You win one and you want two and three. That very thing drives you to want to win again and again.”
The feeling of playing for Real Madrid
“You feel the pressure all the time, but I liked that feeling during matches, as it’s the fuel that drives us to play football. In any case, success comes when you work as a team. Unity is important, because without it, individual success doesn’t come. I’m also proud that every time I return to the Bernabéu, I’m treated incredibly well, and that’s because we’re a family both on and off the pitch.”
His fondest memory
“I have many memories with this club. If I had to pick one, it would be the last day, when we held the farewell press conference. At that moment I looked back and was very happy with everything I’d achieved with Real Madrid. I always tried to help on the pitch and, for me, that’s the greatest satisfaction.”
Teresa Perales: “Success is fleeting and I always think about the next challenge”
Teresa Perales, winner of 28 Paralympic medals and the 2021 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, took part in the event, sharing her experience: “I’m very happy to have such a long career and I carry that pride with me every day. I really enjoy continuing to win and I try not to make a big deal out of things. Success is fleeting and, when I win something, I always think about the next challenge. I keep that thought very much in mind.”
Mindset and pushing boundaries
“I’m already thinking about the days leading up to the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. I’d like to beat Michael Phelps. Obviously, I’m 50 years old and it’s hard for the body to keep up, but the mind plays a huge part. The reality is that we all have the ability to bounce back, and although some not-so-great things have happened in my life in the past, all I do is train every day and feel proud of what I’m doing. That’s a very important ingredient for moving forward.”
Ana Rossell: “Real Madrid is doing a lot to help women’s football grow”
Real Madrid Women’s sporting director, Ana Rossell, was also present at the event with her talk ‘Women’s Football: the strength to keep growing’, in which she highlighted the importance of the development and consolidation of the sport. Rossell said: “This project has only been running for six years, but from the very beginning the club has been fully committed. When we started, everyone felt it was about time, and in the end, it’s been very easy. Every department has helped us. The best thing about all this is that we still have a lot of history to make.”
The growth of women’s football
“Real Madrid is doing a great deal to help women’s football grow. It’s very positive to see the world’s best club getting involved. For the players, being here is a privilege and they need to enjoy it so they can do their bit. In my role as sporting director, the best legacy I can leave is that, together with the club, I have been able to bring this project to fruition so that every girl in the world can dream of playing here.”
Adidas’ partnership with Real Madrid
The second day of White Week also featured Juan Contreras, Global Marketing Director at Adidas Real Madrid BU, and Álvaro Vitores, Director of Sponsorship Activation at Real Madrid, with their talk ‘Adidas: how we build a strategic partnership together’. Contreras explained: “For Adidas, Real Madrid is the greatest team in the world. The word ‘greatness’ is key, as it connects the club with its community and conveys that aura that defines it. Our sponsorship with Real Madrid is very important to us and the figures associated with this club are always very impressive.”
“Real Madrid is a traditional brand, focused on performance. The team has won the 15th and is already aiming for the 16th, which perfectly encapsulates the values of this club. It’s something unrivalled, but even so, we always try to help each other to innovate.”
For his part, Álvaro Vitores, Real Madrid’s Director of Sponsorship Activation, said: “Having Adidas as a partner helps us achieve great things. The video for this year’s kit campaign still gives me goosebumps. In this case, the new stadium helps us achieve something incredible. With Adidas, it’s not just the status of our club that is elevated, but also that of our players who wear the brand.”