Marcelo, a Real Madrid legend, remains involved in football after his retirement. The former Brazilian defender is promoting the development of young American footballers under the “Abbott Dream Team” project. This initiative begins its registration period on March 11. Sixteen soccer players between the ages of 18 and 19 will have the opportunity to train at Real Madrid's facilities and learn about personal care. Marcelo is the mentor of the future stars of American soccer. "The truth is, I don't have much free time, that's true. I had more time when I was playing, I had my routine. Now I spend my free time trying to help young people who want to become soccer players, which is what we're doing here with Abbott. I'm their mentor," Marcelo said in an exclusive interview with La Opinion of Los Angeles. Abbott and Real Madrid will hold selection events in six US cities to begin the selection process. Between May and June, scouts will be in Miami, Washington, DC, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. This is the second edition of the "Abbott Dream Team." Marcelo also participated in the previous edition. The former Brazilian defender, with his characteristic charisma, tries to teach his pupils the importance of enjoying the game. Marcelo won more than 30 titles, including 5 Champions Leagues, but his main advice is 'try to be happy no matter what'. "I think I've always tried to convey this to the youngsters. Yes, it's a responsibility, it's a job, there's a lot of pressure, but when you do it with a lot of joy, with a lot of passion, always with a smile on your face, I think all of these changes and works in your favor (…) They would ask me, 'Hey, how do you do it like that?' Well, by trying to be happy no matter what. We're living a unique experience being here at Real Madrid, we have to laugh, we have to smile,” he advised. In fact, It's worth mentioning that Marcelo left Brazilian football in 2006. The former left-back for the Selecao signed with Real Madrid when he was 18 years old.From that moment on, the South American began accumulating matches with the Merengues, playing more than 500 games and winning 25 titles with the historic Spanish team.

Growth of Soccer in the United States

Marcelo wore the Brazilian national team jersey in 58 matches; 3 of those matches were against the United States. The Selecao had no trouble defeating the USMNT (2-0 victory in 2010; 4-1 victory in 2012 and 4-1 victory in 2015). However, the former Real Madrid player believes that American soccer has improved due to its focus on youth development. "I think every game is different; anything can happen. But it's true that I personally see an incredible improvement in the United States because I follow American soccer very closely. I love the United States, and their youth academies are changing," he said. In this regard, Marcelo believes that the overall level of his rivals has increased. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his reasoning. The growth of a national team depends on having a competitive and high-level league. "I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (...) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well," he explained. Marcelo believes the rise in the level of his rivals has been widespread. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his argument. A national team's growth depends on having a competitive and high-level league. "I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (...) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well," he explained. Marcelo believes the rise in the level of his rivals has been widespread. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his argument. A national team's growth depends on having a competitive and high-level league. "I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (...) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well," he explained.playing more than 500 games and winning 25 titles with the historic Spanish team.

Growth of Soccer in the United States

Marcelo wore the Brazilian national team jersey in 58 matches; 3 of those matches were against the United States. The Selecao had no trouble defeating the USMNT (2-0 victory in 2010; 4-1 victory in 2012 and 4-1 victory in 2015). However, the former Real Madrid player believes that American soccer has improved due to its focus on youth development. "I think every game is different; anything can happen. But it's true that I personally see an incredible improvement in the United States because I follow American soccer very closely. I love the United States, and their youth academies are changing," he said. In this regard, Marcelo believes that the overall level of his rivals has increased. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his reasoning. The growth of a national team depends on having a competitive and high-level league. "I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (...) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well," he explained. Marcelo believes the rise in the level of his rivals has been widespread. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his argument. A national team's growth depends on having a competitive and high-level league. "I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (...) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well," he explained. Marcelo believes the rise in the level of his rivals has been widespread. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his argument. A national team's growth depends on having a competitive and high-level league. "I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (...) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well," he explained.playing more than 500 games and winning 25 titles with the historic Spanish team.

Growth of Soccer in the United States

Marcelo wore the Brazilian national team jersey in 58 matches; 3 of those matches were against the United States. The Selecao had no trouble defeating the USMNT (2-0 victory in 2010; 4-1 victory in 2012 and 4-1 victory in 2015). However, the former Real Madrid player believes that American soccer has improved due to its focus on youth development. "I think every game is different; anything can happen. But it's true that I personally see an incredible improvement in the United States because I follow American soccer very closely. I love the United States, and their youth academies are changing," he said. In this regard, Marcelo believes that the overall level of his rivals has increased. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his reasoning. The growth of a national team depends on having a competitive and high-level league. "I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (...) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well," he explained. Marcelo believes the rise in the level of his rivals has been widespread. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his argument. A national team's growth depends on having a competitive and high-level league. "I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (...) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well," he explained. Marcelo believes the rise in the level of his rivals has been widespread. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his argument. A national team's growth depends on having a competitive and high-level league. "I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (...) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well," he explained.The Selecao had no trouble defeating the USMNT (2-0 victory in 2010; 4-1 victory in 2012 and 4-1 victory in 2015). However, the former Real Madrid player believes that American soccer has improved due to its focus on youth development. "I think every game is different; anything can happen. But it's true that I personally see an incredible improvement in the United States because I follow American soccer very closely. I love the United States, and their youth academies are changing," he said. In this regard, Marcelo believes that the overall level of his rivals has increased. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his reasoning. The growth of a national team depends on having a competitive and high-level league. "I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (...) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well," he explained. Marcelo believes the rise in the level of his rivals has been widespread. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his argument. A national team's growth depends on having a competitive and high-level league. "I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (...) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well," he explained. Marcelo believes the rise in the level of his rivals has been widespread. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his argument. A national team's growth depends on having a competitive and high-level league. "I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (...) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well," he explained.The Selecao had no trouble defeating the USMNT (2-0 victory in 2010; 4-1 victory in 2012 and 4-1 victory in 2015). However, the former Real Madrid player believes that American soccer has improved due to its focus on youth development. "I think every game is different; anything can happen. But it's true that I personally see an incredible improvement in the United States because I follow American soccer very closely. I love the United States, and their youth academies are changing," he said. In this regard, Marcelo believes that the overall level of his rivals has increased. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his reasoning. The growth of a national team depends on having a competitive and high-level league. "I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (...) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well," he explained. Marcelo believes the rise in the level of his rivals has been widespread. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his argument. A national team's growth depends on having a competitive and high-level league. "I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (...) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well," he explained. Marcelo believes the rise in the level of his rivals has been widespread. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his argument. A national team's growth depends on having a competitive and high-level league. "I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (...) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well," he explained.Marcelo believes that the overall level of his rivals has increased. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his reasoning. The growth of a national team depends on having a competitive and high-level league. "I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (...) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well," he explained. Marcelo believes the rise in the level of his rivals has been widespread. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his argument. A national team's growth depends on having a competitive and high-level league. "I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (...) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well," he explained. Marcelo believes the rise in the level of his rivals has been widespread. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his argument. A national team's growth depends on having a competitive and high-level league. "I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (...) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well," he explained.Marcelo believes that the overall level of his rivals has increased. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his reasoning. The growth of a national team depends on having a competitive and high-level league. "I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (...) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well," he explained. Marcelo believes the rise in the level of his rivals has been widespread. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his argument. A national team's growth depends on having a competitive and high-level league. "I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (...) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well," he explained. Marcelo believes the rise in the level of his rivals has been widespread. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his argument. A national team's growth depends on having a competitive and high-level league. "I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (...) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well," he explained.All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (…) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well,” he explained. Marcelo believes the rise in the level of his rivals has been popular. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his argument. A national team's growth depends on having a competitive and high-level league. “I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (…) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well,” he explained.All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (…) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well,” he explained. Marcelo believes the rise in the level of his rivals has been popular. The former footballer, born in Rio de Janeiro, cited the competitiveness and development of Major League Soccer as his argument. A national team's growth depends on having a competitive and high-level league. “I think all national teams and all countries are improving. All the teams in the World Cup, for example. They all have very strong lineups. So, I see the United States as much better (…) Many players who have left Europe are going to the United States to play because it's clear that it's improving a lot and that the league is very strong as well,” he explained.