FCBARCELONA.CAT

30.05.2007 17:39

Márquez called up for Gold Cup

Sergi Nogueras

Rafael Márquez has been called up to the Mexico squad for the forthcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup, that takes place between June 6 and 24 in the United States.

Coach Hugo Sánchez has named the Barça defender in his squad that was announced this week. Márquez is the national team's captain and one of the first names on the team-sheet. Sánchez had no doubt about naming the player in his 23-man squad, despite him still recovering from a muscle injury in his right leg.

Last two matches

FC Barcelona will play their last two league games after the start of the Gold Cup, with the first one coming on Saturday, June 9, against Espanyol at 21:00 in Camp Nou. The date of the last game, against Gimnàstic, has not yet been confirmed, but will be on June 16 or 17 in the Nou Estadi in Tarragona.

In recovery

Márquez is currently battling back to fitness after suffering a slight tear to a muscle in the back of his right leg. The Mexican defender suffered a relapse in recent days that he meant he has had to start his regime once more. He last appeared for the Blaugrana on April 29.