Iconic Brazilian left-back Marcelo was moved to tears after Fluminense beat Boca Juniors to lift the Copa Libertadores title for the first time in their history
Legendary Real Madrid full-back Marcelo Vieira was left in tears as his boyhood club, Fluminense, secured their first-ever Copa Libertadores title after beating Argentine giants Boca Juniors in a tense final in Rio de Janeiro.
Marcelo rejoined Fluminense after successful European sojourn
Marcelo joined Real Madrid from Fluminense as a teenager in 2007 and went on to make history with Los Blancos, becoming the most decorated player in the club’s history by the time he left in 2022.
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After a short spell at Greek giants Olympiacos, Marcelo returned to his roots in Brazil with a famous move back to Fluminense, where it all started.
The attack-minded full-back was heralded upon his return to Fluminense, but he could never have expected that his return would bring such unprecedented success to the club.
Yet in the late hour of Saturday, Marcelo would lift the second trophy of his Fluminense career, helping the Brazilian side win the Copa Libertadores, the biggest prize in South American club football.
Fluminense beat Boca Juniors to be crowned South American champions
The ex-Real Madrid star started the final against Boca Juniors but succumbed to an injury late on, and was forced to watch in physical and mental agony as Fluminense battled a strong Boca Juniors side through extra time.
Fluminense took the lead in the game through German Cano but were pegged back in the 72nd minute by a goal from Luis Advíncula before John Kennedy’s extra-time winner sent the Maracana crowd into raptures.
Kenedy’s celebrations were deemed over the top by the referee, who handed the forward a second yellow card, leaving Fluminense to play out the remainder of extra time with 10 men.
However, Boca were also reduced to 10 men not long after, as Frank Fabra received a straight red card for violent conduct just before halftime in extra-time.
Fluminense held on and were crowned champions of South America for the first time in the club’s history, leaving Marcelo and many of his teammates in tears of joy.
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