Marcelo Has Named His Toughest Opponent And It Isn't Lionel Messi

During the decade he has spent galloping up and down the left flank at the Bernabeu, Marcelo has come up against some of the greatest players of the modern era, including, on countless occasions, Lionel Messi. Yet the five time Ballon d'Or winner isn't the Brazilian's toughest ever opponent.

Marcelo has lifted three Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles during his 10 years with Real Madrid, establishing himself as one of the finest left-backs in the world, winning 48 caps for Brazil along the way.

Yet Marcelo's numerous clashes with Messi are not the toughest situations the former Fluminense man has found himself in on a football pitch.

During a recent interview, the 29-year-old revealed that it is in fact one of his own countrymen who has given him the most trouble during his career.

Marcelo

Marcelo has become one of Real's most popular and successful players during his 10 years at the Bernabeu. Image: PA

Celebrating the signing of a new five-year contract at the Bernabeu, Marcelo fielded several questions during a Q and A session, in which he revealed that Neymar is the toughest player he's ever come up against, after naming Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Ruud van Nistelrooy among his greatest ever teammates.

"I have played with Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and [Ruud] van Nistelrooy, but you know who the best is: Cristiano [Ronaldo] - he is the most complete.

"And the rival is Neymar."

The toughest ever opponent Marcelo has faced. Not a bad choice. Image: PA

And, despite having worked under the likes of Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho, Marcelo maintains that current boss Zinedine Zidane is the greatest manager he has played for. Not surprising when you consider the Brazilian has lifted back-to-back Champions Leagues and a La Liga title under the Frenchman.

"[Zinedine] Zidane. Without even speaking to him, he understands me - just with a look.

"Who knows? Maybe it's because he was a player.

"It is difficult to unite a team with so many great players in such a short space of time."

Zinedine Zidane

Marcelo named Zidane as his greatest manager, having won two Champions Leagues and a La Liga title under the Frenchman. Image: PA

Marcelo has turned out for Real 415 times since arriving in the January transfer window of 2007.

Topics: Football, Marcelo, Real Madrid

Joe Baiamonte

Northerner. Assistant Editor of SPORTbible. Studied Journalism and Broadcasting in a portakabin on a car park of Salford University for three years. Believes football peaked with Serie A in the '90s and strong-arms pro wrestling references into as many articles as possible. Neymar once took 50 euros off me during a game of poker.

@JoeBaia