Rafael Marquez was born in 1979, February 13, in Michoacan. This is a Mexican footballer who plays for Atlas. He is versatile in a defensive game, which makes him a valuable player for the team. He manages to perform perfectly both in the position of a defensive midfielder and as a central defender. And by the way, he is the captain of the national Mexican team.
About the beginning of a club career
Rafael Marquez began in the Atlas. As part of this team, he made his debut - then he was 17 years old. He showed excellent success on the field. In just three years (from 1996 to 1999) he entered the field 77 times and scored six goals during this time. Then he was noticed “from above” and was invited to the national Mexican team. That was in 1997.
And in 1999, it was bought by FC Monaco for 6 million euros. And in France Marquez managed to show himself as he should. Success came to him quickly - already in his first season he helped the new club reach the final of the French Championship and win it. Interestingly, Raphael received many other invitations, from more titled and eminent teams, but he decided to stay in “Monaco”. There he played until 2003. And then it was bought by the Catalan “Barcelona” for 5 million euros - Rafael Marquez could not refuse it.
Barcelona
In the first season, held as part of this club, the Mexican managed to play 21 matches. Rafael Marquez took the field as a central defender, and with his masterful play helped the club win second place in the Spanish championship. The second season he played as a defensive midfielder. The team needed a player who owns this position, as Gerard Lopez, Edilson and Tiago Motta were eliminated due to an injury. That is, there were no “oporniks” left, and Rafael Marquez, in fact, helped the team out with its versatility. And he really had a great season.
In 2010, on August 1, the Mexican made an offer to a club called the New York Red Bulls. So he went to America right after Thierry Henry. This team also bought it. However, in 2012, December 12, the American club terminated the contract with the Mexican. Both sides agreed.
The next day, it turned out that Rafael Marquez Alvarez became a player in the Mexican club called “Leon”. And in 2014 he moved to Ellas Verona. This is a famous Italian club performing in Serie A. And the transition there was an important step in the football career of Raphael.
National team
Rafael Marquez, whose photo is provided above, first appeared on the field as part of the national team in 1997, February 5. Then there was a match against Ecuadorian players. In every game in which the Mexican could show himself, he showed personal potential and abilities to the fullest. And for this reason, he soon became one of the key players of the national team. He played all matches at the World Championships held in 2002, 2006 and 2010. After his team left the group (this was in 2006), he said: if everyone wants the level of the team to be higher, it is necessary that the players play for the best clubs in Europe.
Interestingly, Rafael Marquez is the only footballer in history to wear a captain's armband in all four world championships.
