Real Madrid vice-captain Marcelo is dreaming of a FIFA Club World Cup final against Brazilian side Gremio but maintained Real Madrid won’t look past semi-final opponents Al Jazira.
The Arabian Gulf League champions are making their tournament debut but secured progression after a 1-0 win over Urawa Red Diamonds.
They face one of the toughest tests in world football with reigning Spanish and European champions Madrid looking to become the first side ever to retain the Club World Cup.
With Copa Libertadores champions Gremio taking on Pachuca in the other semi-final, Marcelo is hopeful of challenging a side from his home nation.
“I’m proud of the fact that a Brazilian side made it to the final of the [Copa] Libertadores, which is a very difficult competition, and that they made it to the Club World Cup too,” the Madrid left-back told FIFA.com.
“Playing Gremio in the final would be really exciting. That would be amazing.”
However, the 29-year-old is wary of underestimating the immediate task at hand with Al Jazira going into the clash at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City with nothing to lose.
“We’ve got the semi-final first, and we have to win it, so that we can then start thinking about the final,” he added.
“We want to win the Club World Cup, which is a very important tournament, but we know that we have to take things one game at a time. We can’t just turn up and say: ‘We’re going to win and that’s that’. No. You have to respect all the teams, like they respect us, and give all you can to win the title.”
Marcelo was a key part of Madrid’s Club World Cup successes in 2014 and 2016 and a third triumph this year will see them join bitter rivals Barcelona at the top of the tournaments trophy roll of honour.
“We don’t look at other teams. We do what we have to do,” he said.
“Nothing is easy, especially in football. I’ve played in two Club World Cups and won them both, but it was difficult.
“Nothing comes easy at Madrid. I’ve been here for many years and everything’s been tough. We’ve won a lot of titles, but we’ve had to work for it.”
