CRISTIANO RONALDO’s move to Juventus was a shock to the Real Madrid players.
That’s the view of current Los Blancos defender Marcelo who has admitted he did not expect Ronaldo to leave the Bernabeu.
The Portuguese winger made the move to Turin after nine years in the Spanish capital.
Ronaldo had helped Real Madrid to three Champions League titles in a row and is now hoping to help Juve to a European crown.
Real have struggled since Ronaldo’s departure, sitting seventh in La Liga having won just four of their opening nine games.
But Marcelo doesn’t believe that’s because they are missing the former Manchester United star.
Though the Brazilian does admit that it was surprising to see Ronaldo wave his goodbyes.
“Ending our holidays and coming back to the routine of Real Madrid without Cristiano Ronaldo was a surprise for us, we thought he wouldn’t go,” Marcelo said in a video on his YouTube channel.
“Real Madrid is a huge club, Cristiano Ronaldo is huge too, but the club is bigger than any player.
“The history of Real Madrid is impressive and Cristiano Ronaldo added a piece more to the history of this club, but Real Madrid can’t stop.
“The player changes club, stops playing, retires and Real Madrid will still be here.”
Real Madrid will take on Barcelona on Sunday in their first El Clasico match since Ronaldo’s exit.
And Marcelo knows how important that clash is.