Marcelo Vieira, the Brazilian professional footballer who primarily plays as a left-back for Real Madrid and the Brazil national team, has had his fair share of controversies over the years. Below are the top controversies associated with Marcelo:
Tax Fraud Allegations (2017): In 2017, Spanish authorities accused Marcelo, the Brazilian footballer who plays for Real Madrid, of using offshore companies to conceal earnings from his image rights. The accusation was that he had not properly declared his income related to his image rights, leading to allegations of tax evasion. Marcelo and his legal team later reached an agreement with Spanish authorities to address the tax fraud allegations. As part of this agreement, Marcelo agreed to pay a fine.
Alleged Dive Against PSG (2018): During a UEFA Champions League match in 2018 between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, Marcelo was involved in a controversial incident. During the match, Marcelo was involved in a challenge with a PSG player. Following the challenge, Marcelo went down to the ground, and some observers believed that he exaggerated the contact or dived in order to make it appear as if he had been fouled. Marcelo’s actions were seen by some as an attempt to get his opponent from PSG sent off with a red card, which would have significantly disadvantaged PSG. Critics accused Marcelo of unsportsmanlike conduct and attempting to deceive the referee by simulating a foul. On the other hand, defenders of Marcelo argued that he may have genuinely felt contact and reacted accordingly, and that such actions are not uncommon in the sport.
Marital Issues and Divorce: Marcelo’s personal life became a topic of public interest due to reports of marital issues and his eventual divorce from his first wife, Clarice Alves. The couple was married for several years before their marriage faced challenges. The exact reasons for their divorce may not be fully disclosed to the public, as celebrities often prefer to keep such matters private. Nevertheless, the divorce was finalized in 2019, marking a significant event in Marcelo’s personal life.
Altercation with Barcelona Fans (2017): In the world of football, Clasico matches between Real Madrid and Barcelona are highly anticipated and emotionally charged events due to the intense rivalry between the two clubs. These matches often bring out strong emotions from players and fans alike. During one such Clasico match in 2017, tensions were running high as is often the case. In the midst of the heated atmosphere, an incident involving Marcelo, a Brazilian left-back for Real Madrid, occurred. Marcelo was caught on camera engaging in an altercation with Barcelona fans who were seated near the sidelines. Marcelo’s actions during this incident included making an obscene or offensive gesture towards the Barcelona supporters. Such gestures are generally considered unsportsmanlike behavior and can provoke outrage among opposing fans.
Red Cards in El Clasico: Marcelo received a red card in a highly contentious El Clasico match between Real Madrid and Barcelona on April 23, 2017. He was sent off for a two-footed tackle on Barcelona’s Sergio Roberto. This incident fueled the rivalry between the two clubs. Another red card for Marcelo came in a La Liga match on October 28, 2018, against Barcelona. He was shown a straight red card for a foul on Barcelona’s Luis Suárez. This incident added to the controversy surrounding his behavior in El Clasico encounters.
Spitting Incident in 2017: In February 2017, during a Copa del Rey match between Real Madrid and Celta Vigo, Marcelo was involved in a controversial incident where he was accused of spitting at an opponent. The opponent in question was Fabián Orellana of Celta Vigo. The incident generated a lot of attention and controversy, and Marcelo faced disciplinary action as a result.
Suspension for Kicking an Opponent: Marcelo was suspended for three matches after kicking an opponent during a La Liga match in 2019. The incident occurred during a match between Real Madrid and Valencia, and Marcelo was sent off directly by the referee. The Spanish Football Federation’s Competition Committee subsequently suspended Marcelo for three matches, citing “violent conduct.” The suspension ruled Marcelo out of Real Madrid’s matches against Villarreal, Getafe, and Athletic Bilbao.
Marcelo apologized for the incident after the match, saying that he had “reacted badly” and that he was “sorry” for his actions. He also said that he would “learn from my mistake” and that he would “try to be a better role model.”
