I think this is an awesome debate to have. My friends and I are kind of torn in the middle. Obviously Marcelo is still young enough to win many more trophies, but, as of today, who do you think is the more effective player?
got the chance to see both i think for real madrid marcelo was more consistent and more effective and despite his defensive errors was better than roberto carlos in that aspect (but does have ramos and pepe as apposed to woodgate and pavon) but in terms of overall career, national team and legendary status roberto carlos is at a different level and will be remembered for generations because beyond being a great player he pretty much changed the way people see the game and the LB position along with his trademark bazooka shots that go around the world and into the goal so while that doesnt mean hes a better player than marcelo, it makes him a more memorable and legendary one great topic to discuss
No reason to lock this thread. Unless if you don't want to discuss Real Madrid players in a real Madrid forum. I think zeemov brought up an excellent point above, Carlos never had the players that would cover for him defensively towards the later half of his career. Once Makelele was gone the defense had no structure whatsoever.
Agreed with zeemov. Carlos I think just pips Marcelo for me, he is a WC winner and has just as many CLs as Marcelo. He was just he most unique fullback there was, a Shaq level freak of nature that covered an entire flank, literally. He was just as appreciated as the Ronaldos, Zidanes, Figos, and Tottis in the 2000s, he wasnt thought of as just a full back. Also those Nike and Pepsi ads I like Marcelo more but Carlos I think was the better player with the bigger legacy.
This is a good discussion to have. I'm torn. I want to put Carlos above Marcelo but THAT goal against Bayern. I don't wanna bring up forgotten nightmares for most Madridistas here but man.............. I'd still put Carlos above him at this point in time. For one things Carlos made me "feel" more secure than Marcelo ever does plus the freak of nature that he was physically. Damn.. I remember I was in school back then and Carlos' gastrocnemius muscles were larger than some kids qhadriceps muscles. WTH!!
Both are completely different types of offensive LBs. RC3 was pure force and speed, where Marcelo is finesse. I think both have a major place in our history, but I personally favor RC3. Maybe it's the old looking back at players who retired more favorably once they've retired and over analyzing the flaws of the players you still see playing week in, week out.
Nostalgia is indeed a strong factor. Which is why I think people will soften on Benzema as well. We tend to see our beloved players with rose tinted glasses once they've packed up their Mercurial Vapors. Those Brazilian NT ads tho........... You guys remember the ones at the airport and the Pepsi ad at the Coliseum with Totti and the rest? Man back then those ads were the shizz.
Yeah I think when Marcelo retires, we'll look back at some of the stuff he does and just appreciate it more. When he's not playing, you forget all the defensive brain farts he has... well almost all of them. The Jesus Navas header over him will never be forgotten.
So far, I have to say I am surprised. I was expecting a much more balanced vote. Roberto Carlos is obviously the more spectacular physical player - no denying that. Marcelo,however, is the better dribbler and the better passer. Roberto Carlos was a much more erratic presence, for better or for worse, but Marcelo has really proved to be as steady as any player in world football. Also, my original question was not meant for their totality of their career, but their Real Madrid career. Roberto Carlos' Brazilian career is unmatched by any LB in world football (including Lahm IMO)
Ask me 3 years ago and I would say RC in a heartbeat, not even comparable, however, Marcelo have been so decisive and instrumental for us in the last 3 years from the attacking point of view in some very important games that it gets little bit hard to decide. he delivers, so I don't rate him high as LB, but very high as LW. I'd still go with RC because Marcelo defensive abilities are just none existence, not to mention RC is a physical specimen, every time he took a freekick you could see fear in the poor players that had to be in the wall, he had an "aura" about him that I think Marcelo don't have. add to that, the man have two of the most unbelievable goals in the history, goals that defy the laws of physics and no one will most likely ever able to replicate.
Marcelo has improved so much defensively in last couple of years. He is a more balanced LB now. Coentrao was more reliable defensively in La Decima season. I was also pissed when Calo started Marceo in Turin in 2015 where he was horrific ignoring Coentrao had done a great job in QF against Atletico. If he continues this way for next 3-4 years, I might give the edge to Marcelo. RC right now.
Haha, honestly I wish that were true but I dont think it is. I think Marcelo looks like a much better defender when he has an anchorman behind him, and its no surprise his best seasons he had Alonso and Casemiro covering for him, while when Kroos was our anchor he looked horrific.
I love the two of them but I'll make an argument for Marcelo. Along with Dani, you could argue Marcelo is currently the most important player in our team. Our fullbacks gave us so much this year, and Marcelo was doing it without much in the way of back up. Most successful clubs right now rely heavily on their fullbacks. As modern wingers tend to cut inside more and more, it's the fullbacks that provide the width and the danger from wide. And right now Marcelo is the best. Not just best left back, but best fullback. Better than Alves. Better than £60 million Sandro. Better than Lahm before he hung up his boots too. And it isn't just danger and crosses from out wide. Up until this season he was our best dribbler, only now challenged by Isco. We rely on Marcelo as the one who could beat a man and open the game up. He is key to our midfield build up play. I also appreciate how he was grown with us from a young man. We've seen him struggle, we've seen his form dip. But he's been here since he was 18, so that is bound to happen. I don't hold that against him, I enjoy that we have had the privilege of seeing him develop into who he is today. He is now a leader of our team. He is one of our captains, and he does a damn good job of it. I don't have a bad word on Carlos. I'm not going to put him down to make Marcelo look better. For me it's a toss up, we are lucky to go from one great to next (via Heinze - were is the option to vote for Gabby by the way). But right now, along with Luka, Marcelo is the most enjoyable player in the team to watch. In this current era, one of our most successful periods, he is one of the best, and one of the players I'll remember most fondly.
Almost every thread that's not part of same old ones we always gave gets locked for some stupid reason.
This thread sets a dangerous precedent for non-regulars who don't know our forum culture to open millions of these types of "who do you like more" threads. With that said, this is a valid question. If we're talking about subjective preference, for me it is Marcelo. From came here and proved his detractors wrong to his offensive slowing play. Too much love for Marcelo. Nothing against RC who is another favorite and begat Marcelo (credit to him).
RC for me. Was a beat for us as is Marcelo now but Marcelo's really great moments tend to overshadow his long stretches of average to below average play as well as defensive farts. Plus as a Brazilian, the World Cup medal in RC's trophy haul trumps anything Marcelo has( until he wins a WC next summer ) in terms of legacy.
Put it like this marcelo is more effective with the ball than without it whereas carlos never needed to have the ball that much coz he was that electrifying with incredible pace. I choose carlos because i think his pace would give him the edge defensively but it is clear that marcelo will be a more effective player than carlos ever was foe us because his game doesn't rely so much on speed or physicality.
That series of ads by Nike probably are my favorite, many the players had personality both on and off the pitch. Even national team football had some appeal back then.... today with few exceptions just pales in comparison.
off topic but who the hell are these commentators, they do most of real madrids games and they are really annoying and i cant even explain why i just have to mute