No place like home for Real Madrid's Marcelo

Left-back Marcelo celebrates his tenth year at Real Madrid in January and only captain Sergio Ramos has been with the Whites longer. After a decade of success, the 28-year-old Brazilian international is raring to go again with the sole focus of winning another trophy for the club he calls home.

What does it mean to play in the UEFA Super Cup as champions of Europe?

Marcelo: It makes me and my team-mates feel very proud. It's recognition for winning the biggest competition in Europe.

You are one of the few players who have won the UEFA Champions League twice. Can you describe the moment Cristiano Ronaldo scored the decisive penalty in Milan?

Marcelo: I went crazy. When Cristiano scored the definitive penalty I ran to hug all my family, who were sitting right next to our dugout. There's no way to explain how I felt in that moment.

You played in the 2014 UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla. How important is it to kick off by winning such a prestigious game?

Marcelo: It would be fantastic for all Real Madrid fans if we could start the season by winning the Super Cup. It's the first competition of the season and the teams are still gelling at that point. It's been a very busy summer for many Real Madrid players, but we're still going to give everything to win the trophy and make our fans happy.

How do the players maintain their hunger after such a successful season?

Marcelo: It was a very successful season, but it's over now and a new and very exciting campaign is ahead. You have to prepare well after the summer holidays and take advantage of pre-season as best as you can so you are ready.

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Every season brings new challenges and we always need to give our best. You are always excited about the new season. Since I joined Real Madrid in January 2007 [from Rio de Janeiro club Fluminense] I have learned to fight for everything and give my best in every game. When you're on holiday, all you want to do is start playing again.

Does it make it more interesting that the UEFA Super Cup is now played in different cities across Europe?

Marcelo: Wherever we go we always feel the love of our supporters. We have been in Canada and the United States this pre-season and we have been able to feel the passion that people have for Real Madrid. That happens wherever we go. We felt it in the Super Cup in Cardiff two years ago and I'm sure we'll feel it again in Norway. That always makes us very happy.

Your compatriot Casemiro impressed many people last season. What are his greatest strengths?

Marcelo: I have known Casemiro for a very long time and in those years he has gained a lot of experience. He has now won two Champions Leagues and he's a young player with a lot of talent. I think he's one of the best midfielders in the world alongside Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos.

What is Zinédine Zidane like as coach?

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Marcelo: He's a great person who really understands the players. In a short space of time he's proved his talent as a coach. He's a winning coach.

What has surprised you most about his style of play?

Marcelo: He likes to have the ball and when we lose it we have to go all out to get it back. But the thing that has surprised me most is how calm he is when he explains things.

After almost a decade at Real Madrid what does this team mean to you?

Marcelo: It feels like my home. Real have given me everything, just like Fluminense did when I began my career. I feel a lot of love for Real because for me it is the biggest club in the world and my home.

This article is from the official UEFA Super Cup programme. Get your copy here.