Marcelo dos Santos Ferreira (born 27 July 1989), known simply as Marcelo, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Liga Portugal 2 club União de Leiria.
Club career Marcelo was born in São Carlos, São Paulo. After failing to impose himself at CR Vasco da Gama, he joined amateurs Rio Preto Esporte Clube.
In 2010, Marcelo moved to Portugal, signing with G.D. Ribeirão of the third division. For the 2011–12 season he went straight to the Primeira Liga with Rio Ave FC, being immediately loaned to Leixões SC.
Marcelo made his debut in the Portuguese top flight on 18 August 2012, playing the full 90 minutes in a 0–1 home loss against C.S. Marítimo. At the end of the campaign, in which he started in all his 28 appearances (scoring in a 1–0 win at Gil Vicente F.C. on 13 January 2013) to help his team finish in sixth position, he won the club's Player of the Year award.
On 23 May 2018, Marcelo joined Sporting CP on a free transfer and a three-year contract. On 27 December, however, after only one appearance in the Taça de Portugal and another in the Taça da Liga to his credit, he moved to the Major League Soccer with Chicago Fire FC for a reported €500,000 fee.
On 14 January 2020, Marcelo left the Soldier Field by mutual consent. Shortly after, he returned to the Portuguese top tier with F.C. Paços de Ferreira.
Marcelo spent the following two seasons in Western Asia, with Al-Tai FC (Saudi Professional League) and Dibba FC (UAE Pro League). He went back to Portugal and its main division in July 2023, with the 34-year-old signing a one-year contract at recently-promoted side Moreirense FC.
On 16 December 2023, Marcelo extended his link until 2025. He terminated his contract by mutual agreement in January 2026, totalling 76 games during his tenure.
On 16 January 2026, Marcelo joined Liga Portugal 2 club U.D. Leiria on a deal June 2027.
Career statistics
+Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueState leagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsRio Preto2010—90————90Ribeirão2010–11Segunda Divisão212—00———212Rio Ave2011–12Primeira Liga00—0000——002012–13Primeira Liga281—1030——3212013–14Primeira Liga241—7050——3612014–15Primeira Liga141—100091102522015–16Primeira Liga252—5110——3132016–17Primeira Liga311—103020—3712017–18Primeira Liga300—4131——372Total1526—1921511111019810Leixões (loan)2011–12Liga de Honra200—1000——210Sporting CP2018–19Primeira Liga00—101000—20Chicago Fire2019Major League Soccer160—10——10180Paços Ferreira2019–20Primeira Liga150—0000——1502020–21Primeira Liga280—2100——301Total430—2100——451Al-Tai2021–22Saudi Pro League261—10———271Dibba2022–23UAE Pro League230—1010——250Moreirense2023–24Primeira Liga262—0010——2722024–25Primeira Liga331—3000——3612025–26Primeira Liga121—10———131Total714—4010——764Career total37213903031811112044218
Honours Sporting CP Taça de Portugal: 2018–19 Taça da Liga: 2018–19
Individual Rio Ave Player of the Year: 2012–13
References
External links