Rafael Márquez

For other people named Rafael Márquez, see Rafael Márquez (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with several people named Rafael Marques.
This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Márquez and the second or maternal family name is Álvarez.
Rafael Márquez

Márquez in 2014
Personal information
Full name Rafael Márquez Álvarez[1]
Date of birth (1979-02-13) 13 February 1979
Place of birth Zamora, Michoacán, Mexico
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Playing position Centre back / Defensive midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Atlas
Number 4
Youth career
Atlas
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1996–1999 Atlas 77 (6)
1999–2003 Monaco 87 (5)
2003–2010 Barcelona 163 (9)
2010–2012 New York Red Bulls 44 (1)
2013–2014 León 50 (1)
2014–2016 Verona 35 (0)
2016– Atlas 10 (1)
National team‡
1999 Mexico U20 4 (2)
1997– Mexico 129 (15)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 3 April 2016.
† Appearances (goals)

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 25 March 2016

Rafael Márquez Álvarez (Spanish: [rafaˈel ˈmarkes]; born 13 February 1979) is a Mexican footballer who plays for and captains both Mexican club Atlas and the Mexico national team. He can play as a central defender, sweeper, or defensive midfielder. He is widely regarded as the best defender in Mexico's history and one of the best Mexican players of all time.[3][4] Márquez has been described as elegant on the ball, dependable in the air and skillful coming out of defense, as well as a great free-kick taker.[5]

Márquez began his career with Atlas in 1996, playing in over 70 games with the club before moving to France in 1999 with AS Monaco, where he won the league title. In 2003, Márquez transferred to FC Barcelona, becoming the first ever Mexican to play for the club. He would go on to play in over 200 games and win numerous championships. In 2006, he became the first Mexican player to win the UEFA Champions League when Barcelona defeated Arsenal in the Final. In 2010 Márquez joined the New York Red Bulls. After being released from the club in 2012, he moved back to Mexico, this time to play for Club León.[6] After captaining the team to two back-to-back league titles in 2013 and 2014, Márquez transferred to Hellas Verona of the Italian Serie A.[7]

In 2014, Márquez became the first player to captain his national team in four consecutive editions of the FIFA World Cup, captaining the Mexico national team in the 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014 editions of the tournament.[8] Márquez is the Mexican player with the most World Cup matches played with 16.[9]

Throughout his career, Márquez has been criticized by many American analysts and journalists for his history of "throwing cheap shots" at American players.[4][10] In his home country of Mexico, Márquez has also been criticized for his indiscipline and receiving red cards in crucial moments of important matches.[11][12][13]

Club career

Atlas

Rafael Márquez began his career at Mexican club Atlas, for whom he debuted in 1996 at only 17 years of age. Márquez rose to prominence while with Atlas, making 77 appearances for the team and being runner-up in the league, losing the final against Toluca on penalties during the Verano 1999 tournament.

Monaco

In 1999, AS Monaco purchased him for €7 million. Monaco scouts had gone to see Pablo Contreras during the Copa América tournament that year. After seeing Márquez play, they signed both players. In his first season, Monaco became Ligue 1 champions. In 2003, Márquez was signed by La Liga giants FC Barcelona.

Barcelona

Márquez in 2008

In his first season with Barcelona, Márquez appeared 21 times, and the team came in second place in La Liga. During his second season, he was moved from his natural position as a centre back to a defensive midfield role, due to injuries to players Thiago Motta, Edmílson and Gerard López. That year Barcelona won its 17th league title on 14 May 2005 after a 1–1 tie with Levante. After an injury in his left knee, he returned after a month to play against Milan in the first leg of the 2006 UEFA Champions League semi-final. Barcelona, playing away at the San Siro, won 1–0.

Márquez was present in the Champions League final on 17 May 2006 for Barcelona, in which they won the tournament over Arsenal. This achievement made him the first Mexican football player to win this competition, something Hugo Sánchez was not able to do during his time with Real Madrid.

After the 2006 World Cup, Barcelona extended Márquez's contract for the following 4 years to €38.5 million which would see his contract end in June 2010. Despite sustaining injuries, he was rumoured to be up for sale at the end of the 2006–07 season. His future at Barça was up in the air until the 2007 Copa América where Mexico finished in third place.

During the 2007–08 season, Márquez formed a partnership with new signing Gabriel Milito while captain Carles Puyol was out injured. However, constant injuries threw off his form. Márquez's success declined with the rest of the season leading Barcelona to end up in third place after a miserable second half where injuries lead to his contribution being negligible. Even so, new coach Pep Guardiola continued to rely on his contributions; with the departure of Ronaldinho, Márquez had become the last original signing of the Frank Rijkaard era to remain on the team.

Márquez with Barcelona in August 2009

Márquez was Guardiola's first-choice at centre back along with captain Puyol for the 2008–09 season. On 13 December 2008, Márquez played his 200th match for Barcelona in the clash against Real Madrid, which they won 2–0. He got injured on 28 April 2009, in a match against Chelsea in the 2008–09 UEFA Champions League semi-final. Márquez was told he needed surgery on his left knee, forcing him to miss the rest of the season.[14] Barcelona would go on to win a historic treble after winning the 2008–09 Champions League, though Márquez missed the final through injury.

Prior to the 2009–10 season, Márquez received an offer from Italian side Fiorentina.[15] However, Márquez said he wanted to end his career at Barcelona.[16] Márquez eventually signed a new contract with Barça in November 2009 that would keep him at the club until 2012.[17] On 20 February 2010, he scored his first goal since his return against Racing Santander.

On 31 July 2010, Márquez was released from his contract by Barcelona. During his time with the club, he played in 242 matches and scored 13 goals, making him the most-capped non-European player in the club's history and the eighth most capped foreigner.[18]

In his 12 year European career, Márquez appeared in 46 UEFA Champions League matches, which is the most by a Mexican or CONCACAF player.[19] Márquez is also one of only three players from CONCACAF to play in a UEFA Champions League final, the other two being Dwight Yorke and his compatriot Javier Hernández.[19]

New York Red Bulls

Márquez during his time with the New York Red Bulls

After being released by Barcelona and participating at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, it was reported that Italian club Juventus was strongly linked to the Mexican defender, as a back-up for defender Leonardo Bonucci.[20]

On 1 August 2010, it was announced that Márquez had signed with the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer on a 3½ year contract.[21] He was the club's third Designated Player and was unveiled to the media at Red Bull Arena on 3 August wearing the number 4 jersey and being reunited at the club with former Barcelona teammate Thierry Henry. On 8 August, Márquez made his MLS debut against the Chicago Fire in a scoreless draw. On 21 August Márquez scored his first goal, an astonishing shot with his right foot, for the Red Bulls in a 4–1 win at Toronto FC. On 21 October, Márquez started for the Red Bulls in a 2–0 victory over New England Revolution which clinched the regular season Eastern Conference title.[22]

New York released Márquez on 13 December 2012.[23] Márquez stint in New York was heavily criticized by many fans and journalist for his constant injuries, suspensions and lack of commitment to the fans and club.[4][10][24] Márquez later revealed in an interview with ESPN Deportes that going to play in the United States was “a bad decision” and called it the worst decision he ever made in his career. He said that he had misjudged the arc of his career, believing it was declining faster than it was, and that he regretted declining offers from various European clubs, including one from Italian side Juventus.[4][25]

León

Hours after being released by the New York Red Bulls it was announced that Márquez signed with Mexican club León, returning to his home country after thirteen years abroad.[26] It would not be until 5 October 2013 that Márquez scored his first goal for León in the match against Puebla, scoring a penalty kick in the 17th minute.[27]

On 15 December, León captured the Apertura 2013 title after defeating América 5–1 on aggregate.[28] Márquez, the club captain, played in both legs as he lifted his first league title in Mexico, more than 14 years after losing the final against Toluca when he played in Atlas.[29] The following tournament, Márquez helped León capture their second straight league title, becoming only the second team in history to win consecutive league titles in the short tournament era, the first being UNAM, who won the Clausura 2004 and Apertura 2004.[30]

Verona

On 7 August 2014, Hellas Verona of Serie A signed Márquez on undisclosed terms.[31] He stated that he had taken a pay cut to join the club as he was desperate to return to Europe.[32] He made his debut in the league on 31 August, starting as Verona played out a goalless draw at home against Atalanta.[33]

Return to Atlas

On 21 December 2015, it was announced that Márquez had officially transferred to Atlas, returning to the club he debuted with.[34] He was handed the number 4 shirt.

International career

Since making his international debut on 5 February 1997 against Ecuador, Márquez has been a regular selection for the Mexico national team, although he was not chosen for the 1998 FIFA World Cup squad. Márquez has played various tournaments with the Mexican team, winning the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Márquez started all four of Mexico's games during the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan, where he was given the captain's armband by then coach Javier Aguirre despite his young age of 23. He received a red card during Mexico's second round 2–0 loss to the United States for a deliberate mid-air head butt on Cobi Jones in the final minutes of the match.

Márquez was selected by Ricardo La Volpe for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Márquez played in all of three of Mexico's opening round matches, and scored the lone Mexican goal in a 2–1 loss to Argentina in the second round off a Pável Pardo free kick which was headed to the far post by Mario Méndez, allowing an unmarked Márquez to strike the ball into the back of the net. The winner was scored by Maxi Rodríguez in extra time after Hernán Crespo had equalised for Argentina.[35]

New Mexico coach Hugo Sánchez called-up Márquez to participate in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2007 Copa América. Márquez joined up with the team Mexico for the Gold Cup's championship game against the United States after the conclusion of 2006–07 La Liga; he started the match, which Mexico lost 2–1.[36]

Márquez captained Mexico at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, scoring Mexico's goal in the tournament's opening match against South Africa which ended in a 1–1 draw.[37] In Mexico's 2–0 win against France, Márquez assisted Javier Hernández in Mexico's first goal.[38]

On 29 March 2011, Márquez became the eighth player in history to reach 100 caps for Mexico in a friendly match against Venezuela where Mexico drew 1–1.[39]

Márquez defending Marcelo at the 2014 FIFA World Cup

During Mexico's opening match at the 2014 FIFA World Cup – a 1–0 win over Cameroon – Márquez became the first player to captain a team in four World Cups.[4][40] On 23 June, he scored the opening goal in the 3–1 win against Croatia, thus advancing to the knockout stage.[41] This goal made Márquez the first Mexican player to score in three consecutive World Cups, and the second Mexican player ever to score in three different World Cups after Cuauhtémoc Blanco.[42]

In May 2015, it was announced that Márquez was included in the 23 man squad that would participate in the Copa América tournament in Chile.[43] He was selected to start as captain in Mexico's opening fixture of the tournament, a 0–0 draw with Bolivia in Viña del Mar.[44]

Career statistics

Club

As of 13 December 2015[45]
Club performance League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Mexico League Cup North America Total
1996–97AtlasPrimera División242——242
1997–98201——201
1998–99333——333
France League Coupe de France Europe Total
1999–2000MonacoLigue 12332060313
2000–011510040191
2001–0219030—220
2002–0330100—301
Spain League Copa del Rey Europe Total
2003–04BarcelonaLa Liga2216030311
2004–053431060413
2005–062504180371
2006–072117070351
2007–082325080362
2008–0923141101373
2009–101513050231
USA League MLS Cup Playoffs CONCACAF Total
2010New York Red BullsMajor League Soccer10120—121
201119020—210
201215020—170
Mexico League Copa MX Copa Libertadores Total
2012–13LeónLiga MX130—10141
2013–142510070321
2014–1520——20
Italy League Coppa Italia Europe Total
2014–15VeronaSerie A26030—290
2015–169010—100
Total
Mexico 127700801357
France 875501001025
Spain 163930247124012
USA 44160—501
Italy 35050—390
Career total 4572246265156825

International

As of 25 March 2016[46]
Mexico national team
YearAppsGoals
1997 10
1998 00
1999 121
2000 102
2001 120
2002 71
2003 41
2004 81
2005 91
2006 61
2007 91
2008 61
2009 20
2010 121
2011 111
2012 20
2013 41
2014 93
2015 50
2016 10
Total 13015

Honours

Club

Monaco[47]
Barcelona[47]
New York Red Bulls[47]
León[47]

International

Mexico[47]

Individual

Personal life

His father, Rafael Márquez Esqueda, was also a professional football player in Mexico. Rafael married Mexican actress Adriana Lavat in December 2001 and had two children, Santiago Rafael and Rafaela, before separating in 2007 and divorcing.[48] He is now married to Jaydy Michel, ex-wife of singer Alejandro Sanz.[49][50]

Outside football

Márquez was featured in the music video for Shakira's song "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" to celebrate South Africa hosting the 2010 World Cup.[51]

References

  1. ↑ "FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2009 presented by Toyota: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 1 December 2009. p. 1. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  2. ↑ "Rafael Marquez". espnfc.com. ESPN. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  3. ↑ "Rafael Márquez, la resurrección del Kaiser mexicano" (in Spanish). Zócalo Saltillo. June 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Keh, Andrew (16 June 2014). "Despite a Wayward Journey, Márquez Is a Rock for Mexico". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  5. ↑ "Rafael Márquez Álvarez". FCBarcelona.cat.
  6. ↑ "Rafa Márquez es el nuevo refuerzo de León". MedioTiempo.com. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  7. ↑ "El Tri captain Rafa Marquez heads back to Europe with transfer to Serie A side Hellas Verona". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  8. ↑ "World Cup Player Profile: Rafael Márquez". FIFA.com.
  9. ↑ "Márquez es ya el mexicano con más partidos en Copas del Mundo". MARCA. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  10. 1 2 Isola, Frank (30 October 2011). "Rafa Marquez continues tradition of throwing cheap shots at American players". Goal.com. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  11. ↑ "Rafael Márquez se volvió a hacer expulsar en un momento clave". ESPN Deportes. 22 April 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  12. ↑ "Rafa Márquez y sus polémicas expulsiones". Record.com.mx. 22 April 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  13. ↑ "Las polémicas expulsiones de Rafa Márquez". futboltotal.com.mx. 23 April 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  14. ↑ Crawford, Stephen (28 April 2009). "Barcelona Defender Rafael Marquez Out for the Season". Goal.com. Retrieved 27 July 2009. Barcelona centre-back Rafael Marquez has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury in Tuesday night's Champions League clash with Chelsea.
  15. ↑ "Bueno, bonito y barato" [Good, pretty and cheap] (in Spanish). Fox Sports en Español. 14 June 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2009. Florentina ha mostrado su interés formal en el mexicano Rafael Márquez..." ["Florentina have formally demonstrated their interest in the Mexican Rafael Márquez...]
  16. ↑ "Marquez nears Barça return". FIFA. FIFA. 26 July 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2009. It would be my wish to retire at Barca. I'm very calm with regards the contract renewal. I know that we will arrive at an agreement, so it's only a question of time.
  17. ↑ "Marquez signs new Barca deal". Ontheminute.com. 1 December 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
  18. ↑ "Adeu al viute estranger amb mes partits". fcbarcelona.cat. 1 August 2010. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
  19. 1 2 "Adeu al viute estranger amb mes partits". UEFA.com. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  20. ↑ Juventus Monitor Barcelona Defender Rafael Marquez. Goal.com (27 November 2015). Retrieved on 2015-12-02.
  21. ↑ "New York Red Bulls sign Mexico National Team captain Rafa Marquez". New York Red Bulls. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
  22. ↑ Archived 23 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine.
  23. ↑ Defender Rafa Marquez Released by. New York Red Bulls (2 August 2010). Retrieved on 2015-12-02.
  24. ↑ Parker, Graham. "Was Rafael Márquez the worst ever MLS designated player?". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  25. ↑ "Márquez considera que el Mundial de Brasil será el más complicado". ESPN Deportes. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  26. ↑ "Rafa Márquez es el nuevo refuerzo del León". Medio Tiempo. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  27. ↑ León v Puebla live football scores | Soccer scores and live video. ESPNFC.com (12 August 2014). Retrieved on 2015-12-02.
  28. ↑ Terán, Juan Manuel (15 December 2013). "La Fiera logró rugido de Campeón". Medio Tiempo. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  29. ↑ "León Rugió en el Estadio Azteca y es Campeón de la Liga BBVA Bancomer" (in Spanish). Liga MX official website. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  30. ↑ "Rafael Márquez, 'el patrón' mexicano de los récords que jugará en Italia" (in Spanish). CNN Mexico. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  31. ↑ "Transfer news: Hellas Verona have secured the services of Rafael Marquez". Sky Sports News. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  32. ↑ "Rafael Marquez Reveals Salary Cut to Join Hellas Verona". beIN Sports. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  33. ↑ "Italian Serie A report: Verona held by Atalanta". Sky Sports News. 31 August 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  34. ↑ "Official: Marquez joines Atlas". Football Italia. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  35. ↑ "Argentina 2–1 Mexico (aet)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 June 2006.
  36. ↑ Dodd, Mike. "U.S. continues dominance vs. Mexico in Gold Cup final". USA TODAY. Retrieved 25 June 2007.
  37. ↑ Clarke, Raghavan, Liz, Sudarsan. "World Cup 2010: Host South Africa tie Mexico,1–1, in opener". Washington Post. Retrieved 12 June 2010.
  38. ↑ Glendenning, Barry. "World Cup 2010: France v Mexico – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  39. ↑ Slevison, Andrew (29 March 2011). "New York Red Bulls’ Marquez triumphs in 100th Mexico cap". TribalFootball.com. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  40. ↑ "Rafael Marquez makes history by captaining Mexico in FOURTH World Cup as they take on Cameroon in Natal". Daily Mail. 14 June 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  41. ↑ "Croatia 1–3 Mexico". BBC. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  42. ↑ "Rafael Márquez iguala a Cuauhtémoc Blanco al marcar en tres mundiales". El Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 24 June 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  43. ↑ Perisco, Luca (12 May 2015). "Mexico Head Coach Miguel Herrera names 23 man squad for 2015 Copa América". sambafoot.com. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  44. ↑ "Mexico struggle in 0–0 draw against Bolivia to open Copa America play". MLSSoccer.com. 12 June 2015.
  45. ↑ "Rafael Márquez statistics". ESPN FC.
  46. ↑ Rafael Márquez NFT player statistics. National-football-teams.com. Retrieved on 2 December 2015.
  47. 1 2 3 4 5 "R. Márquez". Soccerway. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  48. ↑ Adriana Lavat y Rafa Márquez firman divorcio por separado. Tvyespectaculos.com (15 November 2007). Retrieved on 2015-12-02.
  49. ↑ Jaydy Michel, blaugrana de corazón. vefutbol.com.mx (26 May 2006)
  50. ↑ Rafael Márquez y su novia, reafirman su amor. Blogyfamosos.com. Retrieved on 2 December 2015.
  51. ↑ Fairholm, Adam. "Music Video Relapse: "Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)" (2010) by Shakira". IMVDb. FilmedInsert, LLC. Retrieved 9 June 2014.

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