Both Marcelo and Messi became legends at their respective clubs, leaving an indelible mark on Spanish football.

Marcelo starred for Real from 2007 to 2022, while Messi shone at Barcelona from 2004 to 2021, captivating fans with his brilliance.

Marcelo, a key part of Real's defense, often had the difficult task of stopping Messi, who was Barcelona’s biggest attacking threat.

Their battles were intense, as Messi’s dribbling and quick movements frequently challenged Marcelo, leading to some unforgettable moments in one of football’s greatest rivalries.

In an interview with La Revuelta, Marcelo admitted that he once wanted to "hit" Messi out of frustration after a humiliating El Clásico defeat.

This was back when Messi was at his peak with Barcelona, and Real suffered some tough losses against them. Marcelo clarified that it wasn’t out of hatred but rather due to the emotions of the game and the helplessness of not being able to stop Messi.

“I appreciate him a lot. He’s a crack; he’s incredible. I thought you were going to show me the videos in which he made a fool of me! I didn’t even see him pass me. He was very fast. But no problem, I was born in a place where dribbling is the best, not being dribbled.”

“The problem” with Messi is “I wanted to hit him but I couldn’t get him," Marcelo said.