Vision has come to light of the moment the Bulldogs and Warriors gave Marcelo Montoya an emotional send-off following his immediate retirement from the NRL. The 30-year-old initially announced last month that he was planning to retire at the end of the 2026 season.
However last week he announced his immediate retirement after coming to the realisation his body wouldn’t hold up until season’s end. Fittingly, his announcement came just days before the Bulldogs and Warriors played each other in Round 21.
Marcelo Montoya received a guard of honour from Bulldogs and Warriors players. Image: Bulldogs
Montoya played 70 NRL games for the Bulldogs across two stints, and 82 for the New Zealand Warriors across a 10-year career. Players from both teams formed a guard of honour after Saturday night’s game to farewell Montoya, even though he didn’t play in the contest.
The winger said last week: “Although I had the intention to finish off the season, the reality is my body just can’t keep up with the rigours of first-grade footy anymore. I want to thank the Bulldogs for giving me my NRL debut back in 2017 and for bringing me back home to allow me to finish my career where it started.”
Marcelo Montoya has called an immediate end to his 10-year NRL career. Image: Getty
NRL world pays tribute to Marcelo Montoya
Montoya will remain at the Bulldogs in a wellbeing role, while also assisting within the club’s pathways system. “I’m excited to begin my next chapter – and will be cheering the boys on as they prepare for a big back end of the season,” he added.
Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould said: “Marcelo has been wonderful for our club since his return. His professionalism and work ethic, his care factor for his teammates, his toughness and resilience, have all been an example to our younger generation of players. He’s been a valuable and very popular team member. He’s a real Bulldog.”
The Bulldogs and Warriors both shared video of Montoya’s emotional farewell on social media this week. One person commented: “All the best for you and your beautiful family.” Another wrote: “Amazing human! I wish you nothing but the BEST Marcelo!”
