SOCCER
Why is ex-Real Madrid star Marcelo leaving Olympiacos after only five months?
Brazilian left-back Marcelo joined Olympiacos from Real Madrid in the summer but barely played during his spell in Greece.
Marcelo’s stay at Olympiacos will be much shorter than expected. The Brazilian left-back has terminated his contract with the side from Piraeus, which means his spell in Greece will have lasted only five months. According to Greek media outlet Sport24, the former Real Madrid star has been made an offer from another club elsewhere that is too good form him to turn down, although his potential new destination hasn’t been revealed. Olympiacos have been informed of his desire to leave and the club won’t stand in his way.
How many times did Marcelo play for Olympiacos?
Marcelo arrived at Olympiacos last summer after 16 years in Madrid, where he enjoyed huge amounts of success. His brief spell in Greece, however, was rather more underwhelming, as he made only five league appearances for his ‘new’ club, all as a substitute. He was rather more involved in the Greek Cup, scoring three goals in two games against Atromitos in the round of 16 but, like in the league, his three outings in the Europa League all came from the bench.
Neither Carlos Corberán, who left the club in September, nor his compatriot Michel, who has returned to the club for a second spell in charge, selected Marcelo as his first-choice left-back. The Brazilian’s case wasn’t helped either by the fact that the team had performed well without him. As things stand, Olympiacos are third in the Super League Greece, five points behind leaders Panathinaikos, a gap which they have managed to cut in recent weeks.