Close to saying goodbye to Cruzeiro, Moreno cries and mentions “blow” with his father’s death: “Trying to get up” | cruise

Close to turning 37, but still physically fit, Marcelo Moreno decided to end his career. The greatest idol of Bolivian football and Cruzeiro’s main foreign scorer, Flecheiro still had surveys to continue as a player. If it still attracts market attention and the body can still handle it, why stop? His head asked. And almost two years ago.

Close to saying goodbye to Cruzeiro, Moreno cries when remembering his father’s death

Shortly after ending his third spell as a Cruzeiro player, Marcelo Moreno signed with Cerro Porteño. Living in Paraguay, he received the news of the death of his father, Mauro Martins, aged 72, in April 2022. Emotional, with his voice breaking and trying to contain his tears, the center forward said he was unable to concentrate on his career from then on. .

– Of course, life is difficult for everyone. We lose important people, and I lost. I lost my father, he was the guy who taught me everything. He left a legacy in my heart. You can be sure… it’s difficult, it’s not easy.

“I just can’t play without him anymore. So… I didn’t come to cry. Life teaches you to be strong, so let’s be strong here too. I took this blow and I’m trying to get back up.”

– It’s 20 years. It’s a lot, a film goes by very quickly here. There were several important moments, that I don’t even know where to start. It’s a difficult decision, because that’s not how we decide to stop playing football. The work that gave me a better condition, gave me my plate of food. I’ve always been passionate about football, and I still am. I’ve always loved football.

Since leaving Cruzeiro in January 2022, Marcelo Moreno has played 45 games for Cerro, scoring seven goals, and defended Independiente del Valle on 26 occasions, scoring four goals. The center forward says he didn’t feel good about not delivering 100% of what the fans expected.

– It was a very difficult decision. Months passed, and I couldn’t do it. If I’m not 100% giving my best to the fans who pay the ticket, I’m lying, I’m not doing what’s right.

Marcelo Moreno scores first goal in Atlético x Cruzeiro and dedicates it to his father at Mineirão

Moreno admits that his family had difficulty accepting the player’s decision to end his career, but guarantees that the decision, although it has an emotional weight, has been matured over the last few years.

– It was a very unique thing, from the heart, to talk to the family. Nobody wants to accept it, but my heart has already accepted it. It’s the right decision, I have a wonderful career to pursue.

Mauro Martins was influenced by Marcelo Moreno to become a football player. He also played as a professional and defended Palmeiras in the 1970s. Furthermore, he always closely followed his son’s career, especially during his time in Brazil, Cruzeiro, Flamengo and Grêmio.

Marcelo Moreno will say goodbye to Cruzeiro before the classic against Atlético-MG, on April 7th. And it was exactly the classic that reserved one of the player’s memorable moments with his father. In 2008, Mauro was at Mineirão when his son scored the first goal against the rival, also in the state decision, and received a dedication (watch the video above).

After almost 20 years as a professional, with stints in Germany, Brazil, China, Ecuador, England, Paraguay and Ukraine, Marcelo Moreno intends to take a new step in his football career. He is open to opportunities, without yet defining the exact role.

– I will continue to do what I want with great passion. I don’t know in what capacity… perhaps as coach, manager, president. Maybe, like Ronaldo, we’ll see. As a player, I’m sure the decision was well made a long time ago.

In the final assessment of his career, which ends with 13 titles, the historical artillery of Bolivia and also among Cruzeiro’s foreigners, Marcelo Moreno prefers to thank football.

– It’s 20 years. It’s a lot, a film goes by very quickly here. There were several important moments, that I don’t even know where to start. It’s a difficult decision, because that’s not how we decide to stop playing football. The work that gave me a better condition, gave me my plate of food. I’ve always been passionate about football, and I still am. I’ve always loved football.