Mexico’s World Cup Captain, Rafael Marquez is headed back to Europe in a surprising twist for the 35-year-old center back as La Liga MX Club Leon has transferred Marquez to Hellas Verona in Serie A.
Márquez played great in his record fourth stint as Captain of El Tri in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, scoring a goal against Croatia that helped send Mexico to the round of 16. His defense was stellar in their knockout game against the Netherlands, however he will forever be known for his “trip” on Arjen Robben in the box in the 89th minute that sealed the game for the Dutch.
Márquez last played in Europe in 2010 when he suited up for Barcelona. He left the Spanish team to play for the MLS with the New York Red Bulls, but a difficult stint in the U.S. led to Marquez signing with León in 2013.
Márquez returned to form while playing in his native Mexico, winning back to back titles for Club León as captain of La Fiera. Many thought Márquez’s international career was over and he would ride off into the sunset for Leon, but when El Tri struggled to qualify for Brazil in 2014, Mexican coach, Miguel Herrera brought Marquez back to the national team and he was impressive during their run in Brazil.
“Many speculated that I came (to León) to finish my career and retire, but I had to respond to the trust that the club had placed in me.” Marquez wrote in a statement.
“Today I start a new challenge in my career with the responsibility of elevating the name of my country. It hasn’t been easy to take this decision because there are many mixed feelings, but I’ve always been a man of challenges, without fear of failure and I couldn’t let this opportunity pass at my age.”
Club León released a statement on behalf of team president, Jesús Martínez on their twitter account. “It is the player’s decision to look for new challenges … ” read part of the statement. “We wish him the very best of success in his new club Hellas Verona in the Italian League.” The statement can be read in its entirety in the tweet below:
- Jesus Martinez M. (@jmartinez_leon) August 4, 2014© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.