Marcelo: Real Madrid Legend Leads Boyhood Club Fluminense to Historic Copa Libertadores Triumph

• Marcelo inspires Fluminense to first-ever Copa Libertadores win
• The former Real Madrid defender started as Fluminense defeated Boca Juniors
• Marcelo has now won 26 major trophies in his career

Former Real Madrid defender, Marcelo has won the Copa Libertadores, the South American version of the Champions League, after helping boyhood club Fluminense beat Boca Juniors in the final.

A John Kennedy extra-time winner decided a dramatic encounter at the Maracana, with two players including the goal scorer sent off.

Marcelo, who joined the Brazilian outfit after an illustrious career with Real Madrid and Olympiacos in Europe, added another silverware to his glamorous cabinet.

"We are Libertadores champions," an emotional Marcelo wrote on social media after the game.

It was his 26th major trophy while it was also the first time Fluminense are winning the competition following a run of five year dominance from Brazilian clubs.

Maradona to Mertens: List of top 10 Napoli legends of all time ranked

Football

"Real Madrid will understand. It's my most important title, at club level, because it's the club that raised me," Marcelo told ESPN, as quoted by msn.com.

"I'm winning a very important title with my favourite club, the club that gave me all the tools to have my career, with the employees who saw me grow up. There's nothing more rewarding than that. It's priceless," he added.

Meanwhile, in a feisty encounter on Saturday evening, the host broke the deadlock in the 36th minute through German Cano.

However, the Argentines - led by former Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani - levelled the scores in the second half through Luis Advíncula.

Kennedy - who replaced Chagas de Lima - scored the winner nine minutes into extra-time and got sent off for a second yellow after celebrating with the fans.

Deep in extra-time first-half stoppage, Boca Juniors were also reduced to ten men with Fabra getting a red card, as reported by the BBC.

Xavi confirms Barcelona's injury woes ahead of Real Madrid showdown: two players ruled out

Football

Exciting news! We have a WhatsApp channel 🤩

➡️ Click to join our channel for all your favourite sports news.

Marcelo joins boyhood club Fluminese

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Marcelo returned home to join Fluminense after ending his stay at Olympiacos.

The Brazilian spent a brief time in Greece but decided to terminate his contract and join Fluminenese.

The former Real Madrid defender started his career at Fluminese before he moved to Europe.