Marcelo continues his tour of Egypt as an ambassador for LaLiga. At 37, the Brazilian talks about football, passion, and respect. And of course, they also asked him whether he will ever end up on the sidelines.
The former Real Madrid and Brazilian national team footballer Marcelo Vieira da Silva, 37, says in an interview with EFE in Egypt that he does not believe in the concept of "modern football," and argues that the essence of the game "has not changed," while ruling out becoming a coach because he does not have the profile of a manager.
Marcelo speaks to EFE in a hotel where he is staying after arriving in Cairo from Jordan as part of a tour of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) as an ambassador for LaLiga to represent and promote the Spanish top-flight championship in the region.
The former footballer from Rio de Janeiro, who for many years embodied 'jogo bonito' and is considered by the press as one of the last great exponents of that style, says, when asked if modern football still leaves room for creativity and spectacle, that he does not really believe in the idea of "modern football."
When asked about the possibility of becoming a coach, Marcelo is clear: "No, I do not think I have the ability to be a coach," and explains that his way of seeing football does not fit with the tactical demands of that role.
USA TODAY Sports"You have to have many things to be a coach that I do not have. I like to play football and give advice to children, to my sons, little things, but I do not understand anything about tactics. My thinking is totally different from that of a coach," he says.
Marcelo, father of two sons who play football and is linked to initiatives related to the development of young footballers, says he is "not very good at giving advice" since "each head is different, each head is a world."
"I have also thought differently from them, and I believe that is the most beautiful thing. But there is one thing in common that, for me, is the most beautiful, which is the passion for football. What I always say is that they should enjoy themselves, and if they truly want to be footballers, well, there is a price to pay," he states.
In addition to "enjoying every moment," the Brazilian star advocates for "respecting the coaches, staying in school, studying as well, even when playing professionally."
"I remember that Raul, Iker, Nacho, Carvajal, all of them played in the Champions League, but they were also at the university. That is very important for people to know," he concludes.
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