Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterFour Four TwoGet FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.You are now subscribedYour newsletter sign-up was successfulWant to add more newsletters?Five times a weekFourFourTwo DailyFantastic football content straight to your inbox! From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more.Signup +Once a week...And its LIVE!Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off!Signup +Join the clubGet full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in.Subscribe to our newsletterIts one thing to make a goalscoring international debut, but to do just that and then immediately celebrate with one of the worlds greatest players is the stuff of dreams.But for former Real Madrid star Marcelo, that is exactly what happened - and marked the moment he knew he had arrived at the top table of international football.That moment came in 2006, when the then-18-year-old Marcelo was handed his first taste of international football on an evening that he has never forgotten.Article continues below You may like Having to play under the pressure of being the new Roberto Carlos, who was also my role model, made joining Real Madrid even harder Marcelo opens up on what its like to replace an icon Id trade three of my Champions Leagues for a World Cup. Id still have two Champions Leagues how many footballers can say that? Marcelo on reflects on his trophy-laden career Id woken up at 7am, still tired because the day before wed been drinking. I thought, Today Im not drinking anything. But by 8.10am we were back at it! Marcelo on his romantic Fluminense return Marcelo on his Brazil debutMarcelos first Selecao appearance came in a friendly against Wales that was played at White Hart Lane in September 2006.A 25-yard strike from Marcelo just after the hour mark put Brazil on their way that evening, with Vagner Love scoring a second to wrap up the win against a Wales side that featured the likes of Gareth Bale, Craig Bellamy and Ryan Giggs in their starting line-up.Brazils starting line-up featured past and future Ballon dOr winner Ronaldinho and Kaka amongst others, with the latter playing an unforgettable role in Marcelos night.It was my second call-up to the national team, but that day was my first time on the pitch, Marcelo recalls to FourFourTwo as he sets the scene.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.It was a friendly, but it felt like an almost perfect script we won 2-0 and I scored with a great strike from outside the box.That goal saw Marcelo announce his arrival on the international stage, with what happened next elevating the moment even further.Ronaldinho came to hug me immediately almost like a blessing, Marcelo adds, as he recalls what was a time of transition for Brazil following their quarter-final exit at the 2006 World Cup.That was a time of transition, the teams Dunga era was beginning, and players like Julio Cesar and Juan welcomed me incredibly well into a dressing room full of superstars.It was magical to go from watching Romario, Ronaldo and Rivaldo on television to becoming one of them.Marcelo would go on to win 58 Brazil caps and add a further five goals to his international tally over the next 12 years.TOPICSMarceloRonaldinhoBrazilWorld CupJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromDani Gil
