The man who made the difference

Hertha legend Marcelinho preparing for his testimonial in the Olympiastadion this Saturday at 15.30.

Berlin- Blond hair, coloured shoes and a footballing talent admired by his peers. The technically gifted and often extravagant Marcelinho is one of the most recognizable figures at Hertha BSC. 193 starts for Hertha brought 79 goals and 60 assists. Former teammate Andreas ‘Zecke’ Neuendorf summed up what Marcelinho was like in one quote. “He - along with Yildiray Basturk - made the difference. We had to look back at some games and wonder how we won. Eventually it became clear: Thanks to Marcelinho.

The goal against SC Freiburg will live long in the memory of most. The Brasilian beat Richard Golz in the Freiburg goal with tremendous dipping shot - unstoppable, unbelievable, unrepeatable. “A goal from over 45 yards which ends up in the back of the net, that does not happen every day. The atmosphere was incredible. I will never forget how the stadium reacted. It was a complete samba party in the Olympiastadion. Hopefully the 25th will be the same,“ reminisced Marcelinho as he looks towards his testimonial in his former home ground.

The playmaker was a regular for the Berlin side between 2001 and 2006 and is still a prominent figure in the minds and hearts of Hertha fans. His performances earned him a place in the Hertha team of the Century and is one of the idols from the start of the Millennium. His dribbles and his technical finesse will live long in the memory as well as his love for unique hairstyles and coloured football boots, which has also left its mark on the Bundesliga, as current midfielder Per Skjelbred explains: “We don’t watch a lot of Bundesliga in Norway. But if I was ever watching Hertha then I saw Marcelinho with his funny hairstyles and cool shoes. He played superior football,” enthused the Norweigen.

Pal Dardai, now manager at Hertha, regularly lined up alongside Marcelinho and held the fort behind the Brasilian in midfield. “It was always so much fun playing behind him,” said the Hungarian. “His goals were often enough to seal a game, so it was very much worth running around after him.” I’m glad he gets the chance to have a testimonial here.”

Several former teammates have already signed up to the Saturday’s festivities as the 41-year-old Brasilian will get the send off he fully deserves from 15.30.

Berlin- Blond hair, coloured shoes and a footballing talent admired by his peers. The technically gifted and often extravagant Marcelinho is one of the most recognizable figures at Hertha BSC. 193 starts for Hertha brought 79 goals and 60 assists. Former teammate Andreas ‘Zecke’ Neuendorf summed up what Marcelinho was like in one quote. “He - along with Yildiray Basturk - made the difference. We had to look back at some games and wonder how we won. Eventually it became clear: Thanks to Marcelinho.

The goal against SC Freiburg will live long in the memory of most. The Brasilian beat Richard Golz in the Freiburg goal with tremendous dipping shot - unstoppable, unbelievable, unrepeatable. “A goal from over 45 yards which ends up in the back of the net, that does not happen every day. The atmosphere was incredible. I will never forget how the stadium reacted. It was a complete samba party in the Olympiastadion. Hopefully the 25th will be the same,“ reminisced Marcelinho as he looks towards his testimonial in his former home ground.

The playmaker was a regular for the Berlin side between 2001 and 2006 and is still a prominent figure in the minds and hearts of Hertha fans. His performances earned him a place in the Hertha team of the Century and is one of the idols from the start of the Millennium. His dribbles and his technical finesse will live long in the memory as well as his love for unique hairstyles and coloured football boots, which has also left its mark on the Bundesliga, as current midfielder Per Skjelbred explains: “We don’t watch a lot of Bundesliga in Norway. But if I was ever watching Hertha then I saw Marcelinho with his funny hairstyles and cool shoes. He played superior football,” enthused the Norweigen.

Pal Dardai, now manager at Hertha, regularly lined up alongside Marcelinho and held the fort behind the Brasilian in midfield. “It was always so much fun playing behind him,” said the Hungarian. “His goals were often enough to seal a game, so it was very much worth running around after him.” I’m glad he gets the chance to have a testimonial here.”

Several former teammates have already signed up to the Saturday’s festivities as the 41-year-old Brasilian will get the send off he fully deserves from 15.30.