Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior (born 12 May 1988), known as Marcelo, is a Brazilian professional footballer for Spanish club Real Madrid and the Brazil national team. He plays mainly at left back but can also operate as a left winger. He is frequently compared to Roberto Carlos, who himself said Marcelo was his heir, the world's best left back and that "Marcelo possesses a better technical ability than me". After his breakthrough season, Marcelo was praised by football legends such as Paolo Maldini and Diego Maradona, who also called him the best in his position.