How Marcelo nearly joined HSV
Hamburger SV scout Harald Spörl recalls how Marcelo nearly joined the German side in 2006.
In January 2007, Marcelo joined Real Madrid from Brazilian side Fluminense. But, apparently, the Brazilian, who is widely regarded as one of the best left-backs in the world, was nearly snapped up by Hamburger SV before Real Madrid got the chance to sign him.
In an interview with SPORT BILD, Hamburger SV scout Harald Spörl recalls he was in Rio de Janeiro in 2006 to take a look at Marcelo who was 18 at the time. And after seeing the young Marcelo for the first time, Spörl urged HSV to sign him.
"After the first game, I called 'Didi' Beiersdorfer (HSV's sporting director at the time) and said: 'You have to come because of Marcelo. He's one for us'," Spörl told SPORT BILD and added:
"I met with Marcelo and his father in Rio. At that time, he was already a very interesting player although he wasn't so well-known in the European market."
Apparently, Fluminense wanted €2,5 million for Marcelo, but HSV didn't want to spend that amount on a left-back at the time. Instead, Marcelo ended up joining Real Madrid for €6,5 shortly after. The rest is history...
"Back then, we didn't want to spend a medium million fee on a young left-back. A little later, he went to Real Madrid," Spörl said.