Zidane ‘demands’ Marcelo stay at Real Madrid after spat with Ramos as left-back’s form hits rock bottom
Marcelo has fallen down the pecking order at the Bernabeu and was involved in a training ground spat with skipper Sergio Ramos
ZINEDINE ZIDANE has told Real Madrid he wants Marcelo to stay at the club, according to reports.
Zidane shocked the world by returning to the Bernabeu on Monday just 10 months after quitting.
And the Frenchman is already making his presence felt back in the Spanish capital as he looks to revive the former European champion’s fortunes after a disastrous season without him.
Top of his agenda is reuniting a fractured squad that has seen the likes of Marcelo frozen out by ex-boss Santiago Solari.
The Brazilian has fallen down the pecking order as Solari turned to Sergio Reguilon to fill in at left back.
Zidane wants to go back to the tried and trusted, experienced players who served him well during his first spell in charge.
Marcelo had looked to be heading out of the club in the summer despite having another three years to run on his current deal.
Juventus were keen to offer him an escape route out of Spain and a reunion with pal Cristiano Ronaldo in Turin.
The defender was involved in a training ground bust-up with skipper Sergio Ramos in the aftermath of their embarrassing Champions League exit to Ajax last week.
But report Zidane has told Real president Florentino Perez that Marcelo has a future at the club while he is back at the helm.
Marcelo has played 25 times this season with three goals and four assists.
In Solari’s final game in charge on Sunday, Los Blancos beat Valladolid to remain 12 points behind La Liga leaders and bitter rivals Barcelona.