Former Real Madrid sports chief Pedja Mijatovic has recalled signing Marcelo over thirteen years ago.

Mijatovic admits they landed Marcelo as a replacement for Roberto Carlos.

He said, "The first year as sports director - in Real Madrid - there was Roberto Carlos, the best left-back in football history in my opinion. But I, knowing him because we have played together and knowing that the contract was about to end and that he already had an age for which his performance was obviously not like he was before, I was determined to sign a young player who could approach Roberto Carlos' performance."

After deciding to sign Marcelo, a player "who was 18 years old and totally unknown", Mijatovic revealed how then coach Fabio Capello decided to give him to another team. However, the Montenegrin refused because "he wanted Marcelo to train with Roberto Carlos".

"A player, training with a crack like Roberto Carlos, seeing how he lives, any advice he can give him ... is worth a lot more than 10 or 15 games in a loaned team."