Real Madrid legend shares insights on battles against Messi: ‘I wanted to hit him but couldn’t’

Former Real Madrid and Brazilian national team left-back Marcelo Vieira recently appeared on the popular Spanish television show La Resistencia, hosted by David Broncano. During the interview, Marcelo reminisced about his illustrious career, sharing insightful anecdotes and reflections on his encounters with some of football’s greatest players, including Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

He also discussed the intense rivalry between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, offering a unique perspective from a player who experienced it firsthand.

Marcelo recalled his experiences playing against Lionel Messi in El Clásico matches between Real Madrid and Barcelona. He jokingly commented on Messi’s incredible skill and speed, acknowledging the challenge of defending against the Argentine superstar. He emphasized the competitiveness of his upbringing and his determination to avoid being dribbled past: “I wanted to hit him but couldn’t.”

Marcelo’s perspective on the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry

When asked about the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry, Marcelo adopted a diplomatic approach while clearly expressing his admiration for both players. He stated that comparisons between the two are unnecessary and that fans should focus on enjoying the exceptional talent of both players.

He emphasized that he considered himself fortunate to have played during their era, a period he described as unique in soccer history. This reflected a deep respect for the contributions of both superstars.

Marcelo recounted an interesting anecdote about his first encounter with Cristiano Ronaldo, long before they became teammates at Real Madrid. He described a heated moment during an international match between Brazil and Portugal, where a physical altercation resulted in both players getting into each other’s faces. However, he emphasized that despite this early clash, their relationship at Real Madrid was always positive, characterized by mutual respect and camaraderie.

Marcelo expressed his respect for several former Barcelona players, highlighting his positive relationships with some of their stars. He explicitly mentioned his friendships with Gerard Piqué, Carles Puyol, Andrés Iniesta, and Xavi Hernández. He acknowledged the significant challenges presented by Barcelona during Pep Guardiola’s reign as manager, emphasizing the dominance and tactical complexity of that Barcelona team.