Marcelo left the pitch in tears after his tackle broke an opponent’s leg during a Copa Libertadores match.
Argentinos Juniors defender Luciano Sanchez suffered a serious injury when Fluminese’s Marcelo accidentally stamped on his leg.
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Sanchez was stretchered off the pitch, with the Real Madrid legend visibly distraught by what happened.
The incident took place in the 56th minute and amazingly Marcelo was not initially given a red card.
The referee was told to go to the VAR screen to review the decision in what was likely to be the easiest overturn he is likely to make.
Marcelo’s tackle was clearly accidental and he sent out a message on social media after the match.
He wrote: “Today, I had to experience a very difficult moment on the pitch. I have inadvertently injured a colleague. I want to wish you the best possible recovery Luciano Sanchez. I send you all the strength in the world!”
Argentinos Juniors were leading 1-0 at the time of the incident, through Gabriel Avalos, but the Argentinian side also found themselves down to 10 men when Alexis Martin Arias was sent off.
Fluminese got themselves back into it with an 87th minute equaliser through Samuel Xavier.
The teams will meet again next Tuesday in the second leg for a place in the quarter-finals.
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