Getty Images SportReal Madrid told to sign 'dream' defender from Paris Saint-Germain as ex-star Claude Makelele heaps praise on centre-back
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There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 80%.
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Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN
Advanced
Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
The VPN can be applied across 12 different devices simultaneously, and offers Advanced Protection that blocks ads, trackers and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.
Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 100MB/month private email relay plus 50 shared aliases and a custom domain, and ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator.
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 73%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for three days in 150+ destinations.
Over 28 monthsSave 73%
Protect 14 devices with the top ExpressVPN plan
Pro
Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's top-tier Express Pro plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
The VPN can be applied across 14 different devices simultaneously, and offers Advanced Protection that blocks ads, trackers and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is included with the Express Pro plan.
Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers an unlimited private email relay plus an unlimited number of shared aliases and 20 custom domains, ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator, and ExpressAI, an AI assistant that offers 500 credits a day, six AI models, a web search facility plus 2GB storage.
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save around 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 67%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for five days in 150+ destinations.
Over 28 monthsSave 67%
Protect 10 devices with high-speed VPN
Basic
Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's entry-level Basic plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
The VPN can be applied across 10 different devices simultaneously, and offers Lite Protection that blocks ads and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.
Additionally, ExpressVPN's Basic plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 10MB/month private email relay plus 10 shared aliases.
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 80%.
Over 28 monthsSave 80%
Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN
Advanced
Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.
The VPN can be applied across 12 different devices simultaneously, and offers Advanced Protection that blocks ads, trackers and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.
Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 100MB/month private email relay plus 50 shared aliases and a custom domain, and ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator.
There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 73%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for three days in 150+ destinations.
Over 28 monthsSave 73%
Getty 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 Trivelaat 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.
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.
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