Legendary former Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, Claude Makelele, has publicly called Marquinhos his “dream player” for the Spanish side, urging Los Blancos to sign the defender. The French icon praised the Brazilian’s rare defensive qualities and leadership, saying he represents the kind of character Madrid need in their post-Luka Modric era, even as he admitted PSG are unlikely to ever let him go.
Makelele’s ‘dream player’ for Real Madrid
Few midfielders in football history have influenced the game as profoundly as Makelele. The Frenchman’s name became synonymous with the defensive midfield role, so much so that his position came to be known simply as “the Makelele role.” Across a glittering career, he represented some of the world’s biggest clubs, including Madrid, Chelsea and PSG, and won almost every major honour available to a player of his generation.
At Madrid, Makelele was the quiet architect behind the club’s early Galactico era, anchoring a midfield that allowed stars like Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, and Ronaldo to flourish. He helped Madrid win two La Liga titles, a Champions League, a UEFA Super Cup and an Intercontinental Cup. His departure in 2003 famously left a void so significant that Zidane once said, “Why put another layer of gold paint on the Bentley when you are losing the engine?”
Makelele went on to become a Premier League icon at Chelsea, helping the club lift back-to-back league titles under Jose Mourinho. Later, he joined PSG, where he transitioned into leadership and coaching, first as a player, then as an assistant, helping guide the club through the early years of the Qatari ownership era. It was here that he crossed paths with a young Marquinhos, freshly signed from Roma in 2013.
That early impression seems to have stayed with him. Speaking at a recent La Liga event, Makelele revealed that Marquinhos remains, to this day, “his dream player” for Madrid as he is the kind of intelligent, disciplined defender he believes could elevate any team.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportMakelele witnessed Marquinhos’ rise first-hand
Makelele's praise comes from experience. He was part of Carlo Ancelotti’s coaching staff at PSG when a teenage Marquinhos arrived from Roma in 2013 for over €30 million — one of the costliest defensive transfers of its time. Even during this brief overlap, Makelele saw a spark that set Marquinhos apart.
"I've always wanted to see Marquinhos at Real Madrid. I love this kid. I worked with him at PSG, under Ancelotti. His quality, his work, his passion, his patience… He's progressed a lot, a lot," Makelele said to at the event.
The former PSG midfielder's admiration isn’t merely nostalgic. Madrid are in a leadership vacuum following the departures of Modric and Lucas Vazquez, with only Dani Carvajal remaining from their golden generation. While younger defenders like Eder Militao and Dean Huijsen are performing well, Makelele believes Marquinhos’ maturity and aura could restore balance and leadership to Madrid’s backline.
"Of course, he now plays for the best team in the world, Paris Saint-Germain. But he's the kind of player I'd like to see at Madrid. He's very intelligent. And right now, I don't see many defenders playing one-on-one. He does one-on-one. He's my dream player when Real Madrid improves. But I don't think Paris will let him go," said Makelele.
At 31 years old, Marquinhos is PSG’s all-time appearance leader, with over 490 games, 10 Ligue 1 titles, 14 domestic cups and a Champions League crown. His influence extends beyond trophies as he embodies PSG’s identity as both a leader and symbol of stability through years of transition.
Marquinhos wants to focus on his present with PSG
While transfer speculation is inevitable, Marquinhos appears firmly grounded at PSG. After recovering from a recent injury, he marked his return in a 3–0 win over Brest, just four matches away from 500 appearances for the club, a milestone that no player in PSG history has achieved.
Despite whispers about a future move to Saudi Arabia after the 2026 World Cup, Marquinhos has been clear about his mindset. He said he wants to avoid “the season too many” and focus solely on performing at the highest level while he still can.
Under Luis Enrique, he remains a cornerstone of the defence, blending composure with leadership and setting the standard for younger players. With 48 appearances last season, leading PSG to both Ligue 1 and Champions League glory shows his continued value and consistency.
AFPMadrid might not consider Makelele's request
Despite Makelele's endorsement, a Marquinhos-to-Madrid move remains improbable. Madrid manager Xabi Alonso already has a deep defensive pool with Militao, Huijsen, and Raul Asensio in rotation. Veterans Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba have seen reduced involvement, while the team’s rebuilding phase focuses more on youth and long-term planning.
Still, Real’s management hasn’t entirely ruled out defensive reinforcements for the upcoming window. Club insiders suggest Madrid are monitoring Marc Guehi, who will be free to discuss potential moves and leave Crystal Palace for free next year and Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool, who's contract also runs out next year making these options more younger and more financially accessible options than Marquinhos, who remains under contract with PSG until 2028.