Marcelo’s 30th title: the 15th player to win Copa Libertadores and the Champions League

Marcelo has another addition to his impressive list of honours. The Brazilian full-back lifted the Copa Libertadores in Rio last night, to join a select group of players who have been crowned European and South American champions. Fluminense’s triumph over Boca Juniors at the Maracanã brought Marcelo his 30th title in what has been a remarkable career.

The 35-year-old returned to Fluminense, his first club, on a free transfer from Olympiacos in February. In April, he won his second Cariocão with O Flu - 18 years on from winning his first with the club as a teenager.

Players who have won both trophies

The Brazilian veteran is the 15th player to win both the Copa Libertaores and the Champions League - forming part of a group of players comprising nine other Brazilians and five Argentineans. Before Marcelo, the last player to achieve the feat was Julián Álvarez, who lifted the Champions League last season with Manchester City and the Copa Libertadores with River Plate in 2018.

Another Argentinean, Juan Pablo Sorín, became the first player to win both trophies in the same year. Sorín started the 1995-96 season with Juventus but struggled to break into the side. He made just a handful of appearances with the Italians, coming on as a second half sub in the Champions League group game against Borussia Dortmund. But that was enough to earn him a winners’ medal when Juve lifted the trophy in Rome the following May - by which time, Sorín was several thousand kilometres away in Buenos Aires. In January 1996, was sent out on loan to River Plate where he did get regular playing time. He played a key role in the Copa Libertadores campaign, and scored a decisive equaliser in the semi-finals as the team went on to win the tournament, beating América in the final.

Carlos Tevez won the Copa Libertadores with Boca Juniors in 2003 and the Champions League in 2008 with Manchester United. Walter Samuel was part of the Boca Juniors side that were crowned South American champions in 2000 and was a European champion a decade later with Inter. And Willy Caballero, who was a Copa Libertadores winner with Boca (and Tevez) in 2003 and also received a Champions League winners medal with Chelsea in 2021 as a squad member, watching every game up to the final from the bench.

Nine Brazilians have won both tournaments: Cafú (São Paulo - 2: 1992 and 1993; and AC Milan, 2007); Danilo (Santos, 2011; and Real Madrid - 2: 2016 and 2017); Dida (Cruzeiro, 1997; and AC Milan - 2: 2003 and 2007), Neymar (Santos, 2011; and Barcelona, 2015); Rafinha (Bayern Munich, 2013; and Flamengo, 2019), Ronaldinho (Barcelona, 2006; and Atlético Mineiro, 2013), Roque Júnior (Palmeiras, 1999l and AC Milan, 2003), Ramires (Chelsea, 2012l and Palmeiras, 2020) and David Luiz (Chelsea, 2012; and Flamengo, 2022).

As for Marcelo, the Copa Libertadores brings up his 30th title, which includes five Champions Leagues with Real Madrid, making him one of the most decorated players still in activity (Cristiano and Busquets are both on 34, Messi is on 43...).

After last night’s victory, Marcelo spoke to the media microphones and explained what it means to him, at 35 years old, to have won the Copa Libertadores. “Real Madrid will understand, this is my most important title at club level. It’s the club where I was raised. Real Madrid lives in my heart, but it is even more difficult for me to talk about Fluminense”.