MADRID: European and Spanish champions Real Madrid will defend their crowns next season, for the first time in 15 years, without Marcelo.

The 34-year-old Brazilian leftback’s contract expires this month and he has decided to seek a new challenge.

He had already said, after the Champions League Final victory over Liverpool last month, that this had been his last game for the club.

Marcelo, since joining from Fluminense in 2007, has won a staggering 25 trophies including five Champions League titles, six La Liga titles, and four Club World Cups.

This past season he was mainly used as a substitute and managed less than 900 minutes of football in 17 appearances.

He said: “It is a wonderful moment in my life. I close a cycle here, in the best club in the world.

“Today is not a day of sadness, but a day of joy because we have once again won the best championship in the world.

“I am very proud of myself and so is my family. We have lived many magical nights together.

“I tell you one thing, the future of Madrid is very good with the young players. Hala Madrid!”

# # # # #