RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Veteran defender Marcelo said on Saturday that Fluminense's Copa Libertadores triumph had helped him pay off a long-standing debt with his boyhood club.
Fluminense earlier secured the first Copa Libertadores title in the club's history with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Boca Juniors at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium.
"I owed a debt to Fluminense. It was written in the stars," the former Real Madrid left-back told reporters.
"We have been criticized a lot and people said we couldn't do it. But now we are champions and everybody at the club should be congratulated for what we've achieved."
Marcelo began his professional career with Fluminense in 2005 before moving to Real Madrid two years later.
The 35-year-old said Saturday's result was more significant than any of his five UEFA Champions League trophies with Real Madrid.
"The past is in the past. The important thing today was to win with Fluminense," he said.
"Today is different. I've won a very important title with my favorite club. It's the club that gave me all of the tools I needed to build my career. There's nothing more rewarding than that. It's priceless."
Marcelo has made 36 appearances across all competitions for Fluminense since rejoining the Rio de Janeiro club in February.
Despite suffering a series of mostly minor injuries throughout the year, the defender has been an important cog in the Fluminense machine and a calming influence on his younger teammates.
"I came to Brazil after 16 years away and I couldn't be happier," Marcelo said.
"Seeing the fans as happy as they are now makes everything worthwhile. It's beautiful to see." ■
