Marcel de Mendoça Marques has concluded the League with remarkable success. The Brazilian player from ElPozo Murcia Costa Calida was named top scorer in the First Division with 32 goals. He was also honored by the National Futsal League and the Players Association as the best left-winger and player of the 2023-24 season. These accolades came in the same week that Marquinhos Xavier included him in Brazil’s World Cup squad for Uzbekistan. His stellar performance has earned him the confidence of the Canarinho coach. Who excluded two regular left-wingers, Matheus (Barça) and Diego Nunes (Benfica), in favor of Marcel.
Marcel is currently the most popular player in European futsal, and ElPozo Murcia is well aware of his value. He has been their top scorer for the past two seasons and has become a key player for the team. On April 13, the club announced his contract renewal until June 30, 2025, by exercising a clause to extend his contract unilaterally. However, the club’s renewal proposal before the playoffs in May did not meet Marcel’s expectations. Speaking to Onda Regional de Murcia from São Paulo, Marcel mentioned, “it was not the best offer they could make and I think they could improve it.” In an interview with Gregorio León, he added, “From my point of view, the club has to make me an offer based on all the circumstances and we are in the middle of that.”
ElPozo Murcia’s priority
ElPozo Murcia’s priority is to renew Marcel. “We have time, but it is true that from January I can consider other offers, although I am very calm,” he stated.
Marcel’s market value has soared, and ElPozo Murcia wants to secure his position before a potential World Cup win with Brazil. Marcel has expressed his desire to stay, saying, “we are going to talk and hopefully I will stay,” while denying any received offers. He added, “There are clubs that have sought information about my contract and the possibility of leaving, but my desire is to stay.” Marcel emphasized his family’s happiness in Murcia and his gratitude towards ElPozo for the opportunity during a challenging time in his career.
Marcel will turn 28 on July 26 and reflected on his past choices. Including turning down a lucrative offer from Russia to pursue his dream of playing and winning titles in the Spanish League. He reiterated his contentment in Murcia but acknowledged the uncertainty post-January.
Meanwhile, Eric Pérez, the Catalan pivot who joined from Real Betis Futsal in 2023, has struggled for continuity and has only scored 3 goals in 36 league games. As a result, ElPozo Murcia is considering his departure this summer, with his agency (Proneo Sports) offering him to other teams in Spain, Italy, and Portugal. Pérez is also contemplating a move to regain his form, but his high contract until 2025 poses a challenge. If he leaves, the club may wait until the winter market to strengthen the team, with the potential promotion of Miguel Ángel Vicente, a promising 20-year-old left-footed power forward from the reserve team.
