Memorable moments: the day Marcelo gave the best performance in the history of left backs

Marcelo is one of Real Madrid’s greatest modern icons, and many experts rank him alongside Roberto Carlos as the best left-back in history. In April 2017, against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, he delivered the best performance ever by any left-back.

Memorable Moments is a special project by Ruiku that commemorates the most iconic moments that have happened in football. Today we look back at Marcel’s performance against Bayern.

Marcelo arrived at Real Madrid in 2006 as a 20-year-old youngster and had a difficult task back then. To replace the legendary Roberto Carlos. In hindsight, it has to be said that he did it brilliantly.

He played 16 seasons in the White Ballet jersey, played over 540 games, scored 41 goals and set up 101, all from the left-back position.

He won the Champions League five times, dominated the Spanish La Liga six times, won the Spanish Cup twice, the Spanish Super Cup five times, the Club World Cup four times and the UEFA Super Cup three times.

Towards the end of his career, his role had already changed, his performances dropped quite a bit and he became more of a non-playing captain. However, he didn’t complain about his position at all, helping his younger teammates and enjoying his last years at his beloved club.

The lanky left-footed defender played many amazing years, seasons and games. However, one season and one game towers above them all. The 2016/17 season and the Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich. Back then, Marcelo was literally flying around the Santiago Bernabéu and was absolutely unstoppable.

This season was also the most successful of Marcelo’s career, he accumulated a 3+13 record, won the Champions League, La Liga, the Club World Cup, the Spanish Super Cup and the Club World Cup with Real Madrid.

Los Blancos took a 2-1 lead to Madrid from the Allianz Arena, while Bayern Munich, led by Lewandowski, Robben and Ribéry, went to fight for the final. But all their dreams were shattered by the Brazilian ball wizard.

If you don’t remember that game, these stunning numbers might remind you. Marcelo completed 9 successful dribbles, sent 13 centres into the box, devised 8 key passes, stopped the ball twice on the goal line and scored a magnificent assist.

Marcelo’s performance against Bayern was later hailed as the best performance by a left-back in history. Just take a look for yourself.

Source: UEFA, Youtube