Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join 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 newsletterMoving to Real Madrid is one of the biggest moves any football player can make.Its one of the biggest clubs in the world, with one of the largest fan bases, where theres a generational team-mate everywhere you look.First impressions count, then, but they dont always go to plan. 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 Now I can understand how crazy joining Real Madrid was, going there so young, with all of that attention and pressure. I didnt think about it too much back then Martin Odegaard opens up on joining Real Madrid as a 15-year-old Despite being a legend, Zidane showed humility. He was different from the rest and he was our coach. We were fortunate Marcelo opens up on what his best Real Madrid managers brought to the club Fabinho tells embarrassing first-meet story with Jose MourinhoFormer Liverpool man Fabinho signed for Real Madrid Castilla, the Spanish clubs second team, on loan from Portuguese side Rio Ave in 2012, and went on to play 30 games for them.He even got a game for the first team, in a victory over Malaga in La Liga a great comeback for the Brazilian given his first contact with the boss: Jose Mourinho.On his day, there weren't many better around than Fabinho at Liverpool! pic.twitter.com/2dcXHeEW2bAugust 1, 2023I arrived in Madrid, went to the hotel to sleep, and in the morning someone knocked on my door, Fabinho tells FourFourTwo. I had no idea who it was, perhaps someone from the hotel.But it was Jose Mourinho with my agent.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.I was so unprepared that I answered the door in my underwear I remember apologising for opening the door like that! He laughed and just wanted to welcome me to Real Madrid.It certainly wasnt an ideal start, but it didnt prove detrimental to Fabinho ticking off a huge dream in playing for Madrid.To play in La Liga and make my debut wearing the Real Madrid shirt, thats a dream for a lot of people. What to read next Ronaldinho came to hug me immediately after I scored on my Brazil debut almost like a blessing Marcelo recalls his encounter with the Selecao legend after his dream debut 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 Footballers really are just very normal people, and thats what I found with him. I had the chance to live and work alongside Cristiano, it was a very pleasant surprise Alvaro Gonzalez on what Cristiano Ronaldo is really like off the pitch And I was able to contribute directly to a goal, which made it even more special.Playing at the Bernabeu for the first time was an unforgettable night, and I was able to come on with great peace of mind, because the team was already winning comfortably.It was a bucket list moment ticked off for the young Fabinho, but it never quite worked out at Madrid, with him later going on loan, then staying permanently, with Monaco, before moving to Liverpool for the most notable stint of his career.Nevertheless, from Los Blancos he certainly learnt a valuable lesson in how not to greet your new boss.TOPICSReal MadridLa LigaIsaac Stacey StrongeSocial Links NavigationFreelance WriterIsaac Stacey Stronge is a freelance football writer working for FourFourTwo, Manchester United and Football League World. He has been a season ticket holder at Stockport County throughout the Hatters meteoric rise from the National League North to League One and is a die-hard Paddy Madden fan.With contributions fromFelipe Rocha
