“You don’t defend a damn thing” - Real Madrid hero Marcelo recalls hilarious conversation with Mourinho about Brazil World Cup snub

Real Madrid legend Marcelo has recalled a hilarious conversation with former Los Blancos manager Jose Mourinho. The Brazilian revealed that the coach called him aside once during training and, indirectly, told him he needed to defend better by mocking him.

In 2010, then-Brazil manager Dunga preferred players he trusted to play in his system. Marcelo was not selected for the World Cup despite being in good form, with Michel Bastos and Gilberto going to South Africa as the Selecao's left-back options.

Speaking to Iker Cassilas, Marcelo said that Mourinho asked the left-back whether he knew why he had not been selected for the Brazil squad for the 2010 World Cup. When he quickly pointed to the coach's decision, the former Chelsea manager hilariously hit back, saying it was because he could not defend. He said (via Madrid Xtra):

“Mourinho once told me in training after 2010, ‘Do you know why you didn’t go to the World Cup?’ I replied: ‘Because the coach didn’t want it’. He then said: ‘No, no, because you don’t defend a damn thing. It’s terrible’ (laughs). After that, we started talking more.”

In a previous interview with El Hormiguero earlier this year, Marcelo named Mourinho as the coach who taught him to become more aggressive on the pitch. He said (via Managing Madrid):

“Mourinho taught me to be more aggressive. I always wanted to have the ball, but he taught me that I had to steal the ball first. He helped me a lot. He told me: ‘You don’t know how to defend, I’m going to teach you and I’m going to make you the best.’ It’s nice.”

Marcelo played 113 matches under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, scoring nine goals and assisting 21 times.

Jose Mourinho's sacking at Manchester United was a 'pity', said Real Madrid icon

Real Madrid legend Marcelo was asked about Jose Mourinho's sacking at Manchester United in 2018, and the Brazilian had a straightforward answer. He admitted that it was a pity to see the Portuguese coach without a club, but was unwilling to comment if Los Blancos should rehire him. He said (via GOAL):

"[His sacking] is a pity as he is a great coach and for him to be without a club is a pity. It's not for me to say if he should come to Real Madrid, but I really appreciate all he did for me at this club.”

Mourinho, who spent three seasons at Real Madrid, went on to manage Tottenham Hotspur, AS Roma, and Fenerbahce next, and is currently back at Benfica.

Edited by Sripad