FCBARCELONA.CAT

30.11.2009 17:26

Márquez loyal to Barça

Edgar Fornós

Rafa Márquez, who has just extended his contract with FC Barcelona until 2012, is now into his seventh season with the Club, making him currently the longest serving foreign star.

Márquez signed for FC Barcelona from Monaco in the summer of 2003 at the age of 24. Born in Zamora (Mexico) he was one of the first signings of new manager Frank Rijkaard and the recently elected Board. He’s now into his seventh season making him the longest serving foreign player. Just like the home-grown players he’s loyal to Barça.

A midnight debut

Bizarrely enough, Márquez made his Barça debut against Sevilla at midnight on 2nd September 2003 in the Camp Nou. The match became known as the “gazpacho match” as the Club decided to offer this typical Andalusian soup to the fans that turned up to support the team.

12 goals

Although his priority is defence, Rafa Márquez has scored 12 goals for Barça. His first came in his debut season (2003-04) on the eleventh matchday against Betis, a match which Barça won 2-1. Since then he has added 7 more in the league, 2 in the Cup and one in the Champions League and in the World Club Cup.

A host of honours

Few footballers around the world can boost a medal drawer has full as Márquez. As a Barça player he has won 4 leagues, 2 Champions Leagues, one Spanish Cup, 3 Spanish Super Cups, one European Super Cup as well as a League Cup with Monaco and the Confederations Cup with Mexico.

A defender with ball skills

When he’s managed to avoid injury, Márquez has held down a regular first team place under both Frank Rijkaard and Josep Guardiola. His ability to play the ball out from defence has been much appreciated and he has demonstrated on numerous occasions that he functions perfectly as a central defensive midfielder.