Author: Barkha Roy
Enzo Alves, son of former Real Madrid and Brazil left-back Marcelo, has opted to represent the Spanish national team at U-15 level.
Despite being of 100% Brazilian descent, Enzo was born in Madrid in 2009 and has spent his entire life in the Spanish capital. As a result, the 13-year-old feels more Spanish than Brazilian and rejected the opportunity to play for his father’s team, which is a five-time world champion.
On Tuesday, Marcelo revealed his son’s position on the world stage via Instagram. “Congratulations on another achievement!” wrote the illustrious left-back, who currently plays for Fluminense.
Enzo will play for Spain in the 2023 Pinatar Super Cup, which will take place in Europe at the end of April. In this tournament, he will play against Japan, the USA and England. Marcelo announced his son’s international allegiance via Instagram, congratulating him on his achievement.
Enzo is currently a center forward for Real Madrid’s Infantil A team and has signed for the club until December 2022. He is considered an excellent goalscorer and has scored over 100 goals for the team.
Before his call-up to the Spanish U15 team, Enzo became a sensation on social media after a video of him completing the garbage can challenge went viral. In the video, Enzo passed the ball back and forth with the Real Madrid players, including Luka Modric and Casemiro, in the dressing room at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. He then completed the challenge impressively, hitting the ball into the garbage can.
Marcelo, who is now at Fluminense, spent 15 successful years at Real Madrid after joining the club in 2007. During his time at the Bernabéu, he won several titles, including six league titles, five Champions League titles and four Club World Cups.
Enzo’s decision to represent Spain rather than Brazil is not unusual, as many players have chosen to represent a country in which they were born or raised, rather than their ancestral homeland. Although some may criticize Enzo’s decision, it’s his choice and he should be supported regardless of the team he represents.