Real Madrid Legend Marcelo Honored at the Bernabéu Before 1-1 Madrid Derby Draw

Real Madrid legend Marcelo was honored at the Santiago Bernabéu before the Madrid Derby against Atlético Madrid on Saturday, February 8, 2025.

The club paid tribute to the former left-back, who recently announced his retirement at the age of 36. Accompanied by his sons, Enzo and Liam, Marcelo received a standing ovation from the fans as he stepped onto the pitch. Luka Modrić presented him with a framed jersey signed by the entire squad, and the Real Madrid team, including injured players, gathered for a commemorative photograph.  

The tribute also featured a special mosaic in the south stand of the stadium, displaying Real Madrid’s original 1902 emblem alongside its current crest. A banner reading, "Cien años hace que es blanca la capital" ("One hundred years since white became the color of the capital") was unveiled, symbolizing the club’s enduring legacy.  

Following the ceremony, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid played out a 1-1 draw in a tightly contested derby. Atlético took the lead in the 35th minute when Julián Álvarez converted a penalty after Aurélien Tchouaméni fouled Samuel Lino in the box. However, Real Madrid responded early in the second half, with Kylian Mbappé scoring in the 50th minute after pouncing on a rebound from Jude Bellingham’s blocked shot. Despite chances from both sides, the score remained level until the final whistle.  

With this result, Real Madrid stays atop the La Liga table with 50 points, holding a narrow one-point lead over Atlético. The night was a mix of nostalgia and high-stakes football, as the Santiago Bernabéu faithful bid farewell to one of the club’s greatest players while witnessing an intense city rivalry unfold.