Ageless Wonder: Rafa Marquez once again on El Tri
“I have received an opportunity to to play for the senior team, it’s a great opportunity and hopefully they keep calling me.”
That was Rafa Marquez in 1997 when he made his debut for the Mexican National Team against Ecuador. Then, only 18-years-old Marquez was a great talent surging from Mexican League club Atlas. He made 77 appearances for the team leading them to the 1999 title match against Toluca, they did fall short, but his name was cemented as a player to watch in Mexico.
Marquez would fall short of making the national team for the 1998 World Cup, but his legacy was only beginning when he was purchased by AS Monaco in the Summer of 1999. That $10 million deal would catapult the Mexican international to the French league where he would play in 87 matches and help lead the team to the Ligue 1 championship that season.
His popularity continued to rise over the next few years and in 2003 Marquez received a call from European and La Liga giant Barcelona. He would find himself playing his natural position of central defender and would help lead the charge to a La Liga title a few years later and winning the Champions League in 2006. Interesting note there, not even Mexican hero Hugo Sanchez was able to achieve that feat with Real Madrid.
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Rafa would continue to play with some of the biggest names in the world, but in 2010 Marquez was released from his contract. It wasn’t a bitter decision, maybe some disappointment. However, Marquez was able to walk away as the most-capped non-european player in the club’s history.
During that time, Rafa played in three World Cups participating in all four matches in 2002. Later in the 2006 tournament Marquez once again led the national team, even scoring their lone goal in a second round loss to Argentina. Marquez continually excelled and found himself with a call-up to once again to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Many thought that Marquez had played his last game in the Mexican uniform. However, Rafa would once again be called to a World Cup, this one, the 2014 tournament in Brazil. The veteran center back would captain the team and even score on a header against Croatia that would see the team through to the second round.
Marquez’s influence was and is a constant and he leads by example. That’s why his selection to the 2015 Copa America team was a surprise, but not one at the same time. His calm demeanor was a much-needed presence during a time that El Tri was once again going through some doubt. Mexico would bow out of the tournament, but he remains a player that Mexico continues to look to.
That’s why last week Mexico once again made the call for him to join the team with upcoming World Cup qualifier matches against Canada. The 37-year-old may be up in age, for soccer standards, but his leadership is one that a young team like the national squad currently needs.
Related Story: Mexico reveals roster for World Cup qualifying
Marquez’s career is coming to a close, inevitably he will one day hang up the cleats, but not without going down as one of the most recognized and successful Mexican footballers to step onto a field. His career has come full circle. Once a young 17-year-old looking for a chance to grow to now being one of the world’s most successful defenders and leaders.