Real Madrid: Why has Marcelo not shown up to training yet?
By Ben Sundock
Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Juventus, Real Madrid fans have been worried by the thought that left-back Marcelo could follow the Portuguese star to Italy. Could it be true?
Just 12-days before the first competitive match of the 2018/2019 campaign, there are just four Los Blancos players who are still enjoying some time off. Raphael Varane, Luka Modric, and Mateo Kovacic all participated in the World Cup Final not a month ago. So, their absence from the United States tour and preseason training doesn’t come as much of a surprise.
However, the fourth player, and one of the most important players in this Real Madrid squad, Marcelo, has yet to report back to the Ciudad de Real Madrid to begin preparations for the new season.
This could cause some concern as he was expected to report back to Madrid today to join Brazilian teammates Casemiro in workouts.
The central defensive midfielder was back at the Valdebebas on Friday working with strength and conditioning coach, Javier Mallo, both in the gym and on the field. But, based off of his Instagram, the talented fullback is hanging out with his family on the island of Menorca.
AS is reporting that the longtime Real Madrid defender was expected back in training today but was a shocking no-show. So, as is always the case with the Spanish media, speculations are in full swing as journalists and fans try to make sense of why the Madrid number 12 is not back in training.
Could he be following his good friend Ronaldo to Turin? Is he possibly holding out on his current club to see if they make moves in the transfer market? Or is he simply taking a longer vacation than expected?
It was a busy summer for Marcelo as he played in four World Cup matches, playing 280 minutes as his Brazilian side bowed out in the quarterfinals to Belgium in a thrilling game. Therefore, it could simply be an extended vacation for the defender.
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Marcelo has been with Real Madrid for 11-years now and has been nothing but faithful to the badge, representing the club with humility and class. Over the course of his long stay with Los Blancos, the Brazilian has earned the classification as one of the best fullbacks in the world if not the outright best right now.
I wouldn’t worry all that much about Marcelo not showing up to training yet. If he takes a few extra days to rest up and recuperate from the grueling last year of play, that is totally fine with me. He may not be available for the UEFA Super Cup on August 15th if he doesn’t report to training by the 8th, but is it that big of a deal if he doesn’t?
I don’t think so. I have complete confidence that Marcelo will be back in Madrid for this season and will again have an impressive season even though he won’t be working with Ronaldo now.