Rafael Marquez is a professional footballer from Mexico who plays as a central defender and defensive midfielder for his country. Rafael Marquez has been named to Mexico’s final 23-man World Cup squad for the 2018 tournament in Russia.
Quick Facts
| Full Name: | Rafael Marquez |
|---|---|
| Born Date: | 13 Feb, 1979 |
| Age: | 44 years |
| Best Match for Marriage: | Aquarius, Gemini, Sagittarius |
| Gender: | Male |
| Profession: | Footballer |
| Country: | Mexico |
| Height: | 6 feet 0 inches (1.83m) |
| Marital Status: | in-relation |
| Dating | Jaydy Michel |
| Divorce | Adriana Lavin |
| Net Worth | $25 million |
| Salary | $5 million |
| Birth Place | Zamora, Mexico |
| Nationality | Mexico |
| Father | Rafael Marquez Esqueda |
| Kids | Two |
Rafael Marquez Biography
Rafael Marquez was born Rafael Marquez Alvarez on February 13, 1979, in Zamora Hidalgo, Michoacan de Ocampo, Mexico. He is 44-year-old father. He has been enthralled by football since he was a child. When he was 14 years old, he was selected from a hundred players for a trial with the Atlas youth teams. Additionally, he began his career in 1996 with the Atlas.
Rafael Marquez Height And Weight
Marquez is a man of stature, standing at six feet tall. He is 75 kilograms in weight.
Career
Marquez made his professional debut at the age of 17 for Atlas, a Mexican club, and went on to make 77 appearances for the club. However, his team lost the final of the Verano 1999 tournament on penalties to Toluca.
Marquez signed a $6 million deal with AS Monaco of France following his participation in the 1999 Copa America. On August 14, he made his club debut against Bastia. Additionally, Monaco won the league championship in its inaugural season. Marquez appeared in 109 games for the club over four seasons, winning the Coupe de la Ligue.
Marquez joined FC Barcelona from Monaco in 2003. He made 21 appearances in his first season with the club and the team finished second. In his second season, due to the injuries to other players, he moved to center back. Barcelona won the UEFA Champions League with a 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the final.
Barcelona agreed to extend Marquez’s contract until June 2010 for another four years at a cost of 38.5 million euros. Mexico then finished third in the 2007 Copa America. He sustained several injuries the following season, and was unable to play in any games.
Marquez signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls on August 1, 2010, after his contract with Barcelona expired. Marquez scored his first goal for the club in a 4-1 victory over Toronto FC on August 21. He then played for the Red Bulls in a 2-0 victory over the New England Revolution.
Marquez signed with the Mexican club Leon after leaving the New York Red Bulls. On 5 October 2013, he scored his first goal for the club with a penalty kick against Puebla in the 17th minute. Marquez competed in the Apertura 2013 following a 5-1 victory over America.
On August 7, 2014, Verona of Serie A signed Marquez to a short-term deal. Marquez made his club debut against Atalanta on August 31. Marquez established a new standard for Mexican players by becoming the first to appear in five different countries.
Marquez returned to Atlas in an official capacity following his time with Verona. Marquez announced his retirement from football on April 19, 2018, after a lengthy career. He did, however, play in the World Cup for his country. On April 20, Marquez played his final match at the Estadio Jalisco, defeating Guadalajara 1-0.
Marquez has established himself as a performer on the international stage, having appeared on several occasions. He made his international debut for Mexico against Ecuador in a friendly match on February 5, 1997. He was a member of the Mexican team that won the FIFA Confederations Cup in 1999 but was defeated by Canada in the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Marquez was chosen by Ricardo La Volpe for the 2006 World Cup, which was held in Germany. Marquez, on the other hand, started all three of Mexico’s preliminary round matches, scoring a goal in a 2-1 loss to Argentina. Hugo Sanchez later called him up to represent the United States of America in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup and 2007 Copa America. He was a member of the 2006-07 La Liga team that was defeated 2-1.
Marquez was given the opportunity to captain Mexico at the 2010 World Cup. Mexico scored in the tournament’s opening match against South Africa, a 1-1 draw. Marquez became the first player to lead a team in four World Cups with a 1-0 victory over Cameroon in the 2014 World Cup. He scored his first goal against Croatia in a 3-1 victory.
Marquez was a member of the 23-man squad that competed in the Copa America tournament in Chile in May 2015. On November 11, 2016, Marquez scored the game-winning goal for Mexico in a 2-1 victory over the United States in a 2018 World Cup qualifier. Marquez was named to Mexico’s final 23-man World Cup squad on June 4, 2018, alongside Javier Hernandez, Guillermo Ochoa, and Hirving Lozano.
Rafael Marquez Net Worth
Rafael Marquez is a highly compensated professional footballer. He has a net worth of approximately $25 million, as of January 2024, and is the third wealthiest athlete in Mexico. He is compensated with a salary of approximately $5 million per year. According to reports dated April 10, 2018, his market value is estimated to be 800,000 EUR. His peak market value, however, was estimated to be approximately 16 million EUR as of January 20, 2006.
Rafael Marquez Wife, Marriage
He married Mexican actress Adriana Lavin in December 2001. The couple had two daughters, Santiago Rafael and Rafaela.
Marquez later married Jaydy Michel, the ex-wife of singer Alejandro Sanz, after the couple divorced in 2007. Marquez’s younger cousin, Luis Marquez, is also a professional football player.
