Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari was pleased with the performance of Marcelo for their Club World Cup triumph over Kashima Antlers.

Real won the semifinal 3-1.

Solari said, “It's bound to have been an irregular season with all the injuries.

"He needs a bit of continuity to play his way into form. I don't think this is the best we've seen from Marcelo, he played very well, but I hope he's even better in the final. He's a wonderful player and he has to keep pushing himself, both going forward and in defence, and I'll make sure he does so, though it's difficult because he's an extremely offensive player and he did a superb job today."