Rafael Márquez

Rafael Márquez is a professional Mexican footballer who currently plays as a defender for Leon, Mexico. He was born on 13 February 1979 in Zamora, Mexico.

The product of the Mexican side Atlas, Rafael reached the first team of the feeder club in 1996. In 1999, a promising young footballer joined Monaco. He was tenacious in defence that helped the club to become Ligue 1 champion in the 1999/2000 season.

In 2003, Márquez enjoyed a meteoric rise signing for the Spanish heavyweights Barcelona. He was instrumental in leading the club to La Liga titles four times (in 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010), Copa del Rey in the 2008/09 and Supercopa de España three times. Márquez cut a brilliant figure during the 2006 UEFA Champions League final match against Arsenal when Barca met with the triumph. During a seven-year spell he made a total of 163 appearances for the club.

In 2010, the Mexican player moved to New York Red Bulls competing in MLS. In his debut season with the American club Márquez won MLS Eastern Conference title. Since 2013 Rafael has been featuring for Mexican side Leon.

Rafael Márquez is a regular for the Mexico national team since 1997. For 15 years, he featured in more than 100 international matches winning the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup trophies in 2003 and 2011.