Marcelo Wanted to Leave After Ronaldo Joined

Though his presence almost drove Marcelo to leave Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo helped usher in a new era of wealth for the modern-day Los Blancos legends.

Real shattered then world-record £80 million transfer to sign Ronaldo in 2009 after his outstanding performances for Manchester United. Following United to three consecutive Premier League crowns and a Champions League victory, the Portuguese forward won his first Ballon d’Or in December 2008.

During the same transfer season, Kaka, Karim Benzema, and Xabi Alonso joined Ronaldo in the Spanish capital as the squad worked to generate a fresh batch of Galacticos.

Despite the expensive club’s delayed success, Ronaldo would go on to shine for Real Madrid as the team four times Champions League winners in five years. Former Brazilian star Marcelo considered leaving Real Madrid after learning of Ronaldo’s impending arrival after a falling out with the Portuguese forward a few months prior when their national teams faced each other as both got into a bust-up.