Marcelo dos Santos Ferreira (born 27 July 1989), known simply as Marcelo, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for Sporting Clube de Portugal as a central defender.
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.
Marcelo moved to Portugal in 2010, signing with G.D. Ribeirão in 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 Clube de Portugal on a free transfer and a three-year contract.
Portuguese Primeira Liga / Portugal
