With a total of 546 matches played, 38 goals, and 25 titles, Marcelo was one of the key figures in Real Madrid's history. At this club, he played alongside the legendary Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo but also faced him on the pitch. However, he also measured his strength against Lionel Messi, who played for Barcelona and Argentina in those encounters. Now, Marcelo has revealed who was the toughest opponent to play against. Marcelo appeared on the YouTube channel of Brazilian legend Romário, where he answered several questions from the former Brazilian footballer and hero of the 1994 World Cup. In a career that included clubs like Fluminense, Real Madrid, Olympiacos, and the Brazilian national team, Marcelo played alongside many stars but also faced several elite players. "You've faced Cristiano and Messi, who was the toughest opponent?" Romário asked. Almost without hesitation, Marcelo chose the 38-year-old Argentine, whom he faced more than 30 times. "Messi. He was truly imposing; I still look for him to this day. Man, he is really phenomenal; Messi is very resilient. He understands all positions on the pitch very well, knows when a player is coming with the ball, already knows where he needs to go, where he needs to move, and so on. I think he is exceptional," said Marcelo. Beyond his strength on the pitch, the Brazilian has revealed on multiple occasions that there was always respect between the protagonists of one of the most significant rivalries in modern football—Barcelona vs. Real Madrid or Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo. Over time, these encounters remain in memory as part of a historic rivalry that defined an entire generation and raised the level of play to the highest standard. With these words, Marcelo not only highlighted the challenge of facing Messi and Ronaldo but also the privilege it truly was. Marcelo officially retired from professional football just over a year ago, on February 6, 2025, at the age of 36, but Lionel and Cristiano continue to add chapters to this iconic sports rivalry. The Portuguese star is determined to play in his last World Cup and bring the trophy home for the first time in history, while the Argentine captain's participation is uncertain, but it can be said they are on the verge of entering history as the only players to compete in six major tournaments. Marcelo once again singled out Messi and his teammates among the favorites to win the World Cup. "In no particular order... I would say the favorites are Brazil, Spain, France, and Argentina," the Brazilian was clear. The World Cup will be held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19 this year.