FIFA World Cup™ Germany 2006 player's profile

Since the days of the legendary Hugo Sanchez, no other player has made quite as big an impression outside Mexico as Rafael Marquez.
The elegant Barcelona man has slotted seamlessly into Spanish football, both in the centre of defence and in a holding role, establishing himself as the mainstay of a side that has produced mesmerising football and breathtaking victories.

There is nothing fortuitous about his success. Marquez is blessed with gifts that few players in his position possess. Unlike many of his fellow centre halves, he resorts to force only when absolutely necessary, preferring intelligence and guile to spirit the ball away from opposing forwards. Technically flawless, he is equally adept at playing the ball out of defence with consummate precision and coolly snuffing out danger in the box.

”He’s a highly influential member of the team. He can switch to the centre of midfield without difficulty and stands out as a real leader of the group,” says one of his biggest admirers, Mexico boss Ricardo La Volpe.

There is more to the versatile Marquez than just his leadership and technical qualities, however. One of biggest criticisms levelled at Mexico’s footballing exports over the years is an inability to adapt to foreign leagues, despite the obvious skill they possess. Many of the country’s recent stars have tried their luck in Europe only to return within a matter of months after failing to make much of an impression.

European adventure
The same cannot be said of Marquez, who bucked the trend when he bade the national league farewell at an early age. His remarkable performances at the FIFA Confederations Cup Mexico 1999 attracted the attention of French aristocrats Monaco, who wasted little time in making him an offer the 19-year-old could not refuse.

The youngster proved an instant success, quickly cementing his place and pocketing a French league winner’s medal in his first season as part of a spectacular side that boasted the likes of Fabien Barthez, Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet.

The thoroughbred defender has never looked back since, and was one of the star performers of Les Rouge et Blanc over the next three years. He reproduced his French league form for his country, quickly developing from a promising newcomer to a key component of the side. Such was his progression that Javier Aguirre made him national team captain at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan?, an honour he had shared up to that point with goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez.

The FC Barcelona player is currently in the form of his life. Mature and utterly dependable, yet also capable of the spectacular, Marquez celebrated his first Spanish league title with the Catalan powerhouses last season, and has every intention of confirming his status as his country’s inspirational leader in Germany.

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UEFA Champions League 2005-06 player's profile

A powerful and aggressive player, Rafael Márquez dominates in the air and is a threat from set plays. He can operate either as a central defender or as a holding midfield player.

Márquez, who was part of the Mexico team that lifted the FIFA Confederations Cup in 1999 and captained his country in the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup finals, rose to prominence in his homeland with CD Guadalajara in 1996, scoring six goals in 77 appearances prior to a €6m switch to AS Monaco FC in 1999. He was an instant success in the Principality, forming a formidable defensive partnership with Philippe Christanval as Monaco clinched the league title in 2000. Injury problems disrupted 2000/01, although Márquez impressed again in 2001/02 and the following term when - moved into midfield - Monaco lifted the French League Cup.

Márquez became the first Mexican to play for FC Barcelona when he moved to Spain in summer 2003 and excelled in 2004/05 as the Catalan club were crowned league champions. Another league title followed the following season, when he became the first man from his country to play in, and win, the UEFA Champions League final.

Did you know?
He kisses a bracelet that his wife gave him every time he scores.