Marcelo dos Santos Cipriano

Académica and Benfica

Born in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro to Portuguese parents, Marcelo returned to their homeland still in his teens, entering the youth system of Académica de Coimbra, which loaned him to fourth division team Sertanense in the summer of 1989. After one season apiece with Académica and Feirense in the Segunda Liga, Marcelo made his Primeira Liga debut with Gil Vicente, scoring three goals for the Barcelos-based club. His most successful period in his adopted nation would be at lowly Tirsense, which he helped to achieve top-flight promotion in 1994, subsequently netting 17 times in 1994–95 as the northerners achieved a best-ever eight-place in the competition. Marcelo's exploits earned him a transfer to Benfica, finishing his sole season as team top scorer in the league behind João Pinto, but his side did not win any silverware. He then spent one year in the Spanish Segunda División with Alavés, going scoreless in 26 total appearances.

England and later years

In the following five years, Marcelo played in England, starting in 1997 with Sheffield United, which signed the player for a fee of £400,000. In the FA Cup tournament of his first year, he helped to take the team to the semi-finals after scoring against Coventry City at Highfield Road to set up the (eventually victorious) replay. Birmingham City acquired Marcelo's services in 1999 for £500,000. He played on the losing side in the 2001 Football League Cup final, coming on as a second-half…

Benfica

Taça de Portugal: 1995–96 Tirsense

Segunda Liga: 1993–94 Birmingham City

Football League Cup runner-up: 2000–01