Marcelo says “a new and very exciting campaign” awaits Real Madrid as “me and my teammates feel very proud” about facing Sevilla in the European Super Cup.
Madrid face Sevilla in the first competitive match of the new season on August 9, in a battle of the Champions League and Europa League winners from the campaign before, and the left-back believes victory would be “fantastic” for Los Blancos.
“It makes me and my teammates feel very proud [to play in a Super Cup]. It’s recognition for winning the biggest competition in Europe,” he told UEFA’s official website.
“I went crazy [when Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winning penalty in the Champions League final].
“When Cristiano scored the definitive penalty I ran to hug all my family, who were sitting right next to our dugout. There's no way to explain how I felt in that moment.
“It would be fantastic for all Real Madrid fans if we could start the season by winning the Super Cup. It’s the first competition of the season and the teams are still gelling at that point.
“It’s been a very busy summer for many Real Madrid players, but we’re still going to give everything to win the trophy and make our fans happy.
“It was a very successful season, but it’s over now and a new and very exciting campaign is ahead.
“You have to prepare well after the summer holidays and take advantage of preseason as best as you can so you are ready.
“Every season brings new challenges and we always need to give our best. You are always excited about the new season.
“Since I joined Real Madrid in January 2007 [from Rio de Janeiro club Fluminense] I have learned to fight for everything and give my best in every game. When you're on holiday, all you want to do is start playing again.
“Wherever we go we always feel the love of our supporters. We have been in Canada and the United States this preseason and we have been able to feel the passion that people have for Real Madrid.
“That happens wherever we go. We felt it in the Super Cup in Cardiff two years ago and I’m sure we'll feel it again in Norway. That always makes us very happy.
“I have known Casemiro for a very long time and in those years he has gained a lot of experience. He has now won two Champions Leagues and he’s a young player with a lot of talent.
“I think he’s one of the best midfielders in the world alongside Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
“[Zinedine Zidane] is a great person who really understands the players. In a short space of time he's proved his talent as a coach. He’s a winning Coach.
“He likes [us] to have the ball and when we lose it we have to go all out to get it back. But the thing that has surprised me most is how calm he is when he explains things.
“[Madrid] feels like my home. Real have given me everything, just like Fluminense did when I began my career. I feel a lot of love for Real because for me it is the biggest club in the world and my home.”
