Marcelo recalls his feelings ahead of facing Salah at 2018 UCL Final

CAIRO – 1 November 2019: Ahead of 2018 UEFA Champions League Final between Real Madrid and Liverpool, Real Madrid left back, Marcelo, was suffering from an injury and he was afraid of missing the final.

He was also mad at former Real Madrid player, Jorge Valdano, who warned him from Liverpool Egyptian winger, Mohamed Salah, who was having a wonderful time with his team in his debut season.

“A few days before the final a former Real Madrid player had said something about me on TV that stuck in my head. He said, I think Marcelo should buy a poster of Mohamed Salah, put it up on his wall, and pray to it every night.” Marcelo recalled Valdano’s statement.

Ahead of 2018 Final, Marcelo has been playing a vital role in his team’s dominance over the prestigious competition which they achieved in 2014, 2016 and 2017.

Marcelo added “After 12 years and 3 Champions League trophies, he disrespected me like this on live TV. This comment was meant to sink me. But it gave me so much motivation.”

At the end of the day, Salah suffered a shoulder injury at the first quarter of the game and Marcelo was one of the first players on the pitch to support the Egyptian after the injury.

Marcelo and his teammates won the game 3-1 to win their third consecutive title and their fourth title at the competition since 2014.