The Palmeiras legend decided to call it a day after an accomplished 20-year career.
Marcos, the goalkeeper of Brazil's 2002 World Cup triumph in Korea/Japan, announced his official retirement from soccer at the age of 38.
"He reunited with friends and family and he said that his body indicated that it was time to call it quits," Cesar Sampaio, the director of Palmeiras, the only club that Marcos played for for the duration of his 20-year career, announced to the press.
Palmeiras affirmed that the goalkeeper will play a farewell match at some point of the year, but have yet to announce against which team. Next week the club will setup a press conference in which the player will explain his reason for retirement and what he plans for the future. In recent days Marcos admitted that he would like to remain at Palmeiras, but in a different role.
Marcos was born in Oriente, Sao Paulo, on August 4 1973, and he made his official debut for Palmeiras in 1992, when he was 18 years old. The 1.93 metre tall goalkeeper made 530 appearances for Palmeiras, and always wore the number 12 on his back.
For Palmeiras, Marcos won two Brazilian league championships, in 1993 and 1994, the Copa do Brasil in 1998, the Copa Libertadores in 1999, as well as four Sao Paulo State championships.
With the Brazilian national team he made 29 appearances, winning three titles: the Confederations Cup in 2005, the Copa America in 1999 and ultimately the FIFA World Cup in 2002, where he conceded four goals in seven matches.
His last official match was on September 18 against Avai, which corresponded to the 2011 Brazilian national championship. The match ended in a 1-1 draw in the city of Florianopolis.
Marcos will always be remembered amongst Palmeiras fans for his extraordinary reflexes, an ability that earned him the nickname "Saint Marcos."
"He reunited with friends and family and he said that his body indicated that it was time to call it quits," Cesar Sampaio, the director of Palmeiras, the only club that Marcos played for for the duration of his 20-year career, announced to the press.
Palmeiras affirmed that the goalkeeper will play a farewell match at some point of the year, but have yet to announce against which team. Next week the club will setup a press conference in which the player will explain his reason for retirement and what he plans for the future. In recent days Marcos admitted that he would like to remain at Palmeiras, but in a different role.
Marcos was born in Oriente, Sao Paulo, on August 4 1973, and he made his official debut for Palmeiras in 1992, when he was 18 years old. The 1.93 metre tall goalkeeper made 530 appearances for Palmeiras, and always wore the number 12 on his back.
For Palmeiras, Marcos won two Brazilian league championships, in 1993 and 1994, the Copa do Brasil in 1998, the Copa Libertadores in 1999, as well as four Sao Paulo State championships.
With the Brazilian national team he made 29 appearances, winning three titles: the Confederations Cup in 2005, the Copa America in 1999 and ultimately the FIFA World Cup in 2002, where he conceded four goals in seven matches.
His last official match was on September 18 against Avai, which corresponded to the 2011 Brazilian national championship. The match ended in a 1-1 draw in the city of Florianopolis.
Marcos will always be remembered amongst Palmeiras fans for his extraordinary reflexes, an ability that earned him the nickname "Saint Marcos."
