View source for Rafael Márquez

{{short description|Mexican footballer and manager (born 1979)}}
{{pp-dispute|small=no}}
{{for multi|other people|Rafael Márquez (disambiguation)|and|Rafael Marques (disambiguation)}}
{{family name hatnote|Márquez|Álvarez|lang=Spanish}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Rafael Márquez
| image = Rafael Márquez 2014.jpg
| caption = Márquez in 2014
| full_name = Rafael Márquez Álvarez<ref name="FIFA">{{Cite news|title=FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2009 presented by Toyota: List of Players| url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/95/12/84/fcwc_2009_squadlists.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902182958/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/95/12/84/fcwc_2009_squadlists.pdf | url-status=dead | archive-date=2 September 2012 |publisher=FIFA|page=5|date=9 December 2009|access-date=29 March 2020}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|2|13|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Zamora, Michoacán]], Mexico
| height = 1.84 m<ref name="FIFA"/>
| position = [[Defender (association football)#Centre-back|Centre-back]], [[Midfielder#Defensive midfielder|defensive midfielder]]

| youthyears1 = 1992–1996
| youthclubs1 = [[Atlas F.C.|Atlas]]
| years1 = 1996–1999
| clubs1 = [[Atlas F.C.|Atlas]]
| caps1 = 77
| goals1 = 6
| years2 = 1999–2003
| clubs2 = [[AS Monaco FC|Monaco]]
| caps2 = 110
| goals2 = 5
| years3 = 2003–2010
| clubs3 = [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
| caps3 = 163
| goals3 = 9
| years4 = 2010–2012
| clubs4 = [[New York Red Bulls]]
| caps4 = 44
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2012–2014
| clubs5 = [[Club León|León]]
| caps5 = 50
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2014–2015
| clubs6 = [[Hellas Verona F.C.|Hellas Verona]]
| caps6 = 35
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2016–2018
| clubs7 = [[Atlas F.C.|Atlas]]
| caps7 = 58
| goals7 = 1
| totalcaps = 516
| totalgoals = 23
| manageryears1 = 2020–2021
| managerclubs1 = [[RSD Alcalá|Alcalá U15]]
| manageryears2 = 2022–2024
| managerclubs2 = [[FC Barcelona Atlètic|Barcelona Atlètic]]
| manageryears3 = 2024–
| managerclubs3 = [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]] (assistant)
|currentclub         = [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]] (assistant)
| nationalyears1 = 1997–1999
| nationalteam1 = [[Mexico national under-20 football team|Mexico U20]]
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalgoals1 = 2
| nationalyears2 = 1997–2018
| nationalteam2 = [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]]
| nationalcaps2 = 147
| nationalgoals2 = 17
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[association football|football]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|MEX}}}} <small>(as player)</small>
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA Confederations Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[1999 FIFA Confederations Cup|1999 Mexico]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Copa América]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2001 Copa América|2001 Colombia]]|}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[1999 Copa América|1999 Paraguay]]|}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[2007 Copa América|2007 Venezuela]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[CONCACAF Gold Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2003 United States–Mexico]]|}}
{{Medal|W|[[2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2011 United States]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2007 United States]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[CONCACAF Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[CONCACAF Cup|2015 United States]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship|CONCACAF Pre-Olympic Tournament]]}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[2000 CONCACAF Pre-Olympic Tournament|2000 United States]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Lunar New Year Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[1999 Lunar New Year Cup|1999 Hong Kong]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2000 Lunar New Year Cup|2000 Hong Kong]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[U.S. Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[1997 U.S. Cup|1997 United States]]|}}
{{Medal|W|[[1999 U.S. Cup|1999 United States]]|}}
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|MEX}}}} <small>(as manager)</small>
{{MedalCompetition|[[CONCACAF Gold Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2025 United States–Canada]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[CONCACAF Nations League]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2025 CONCACAF Nations League Finals|2025 United States]]|}}
}}

'''Rafael Márquez Álvarez''' ({{IPA|es|rafaˈel ˈmaɾkes|lang|RafaelMarquezPronunciation.ogg}}; born 13 February 1979) is a Mexican [[Association football|football]] [[Coach (sport)#Association football|coach]] and former player who played as a [[Defender (association football)|defender]]. He is currently the assistant coach of the [[Mexico national football team|Mexico national team]]. Nicknamed ''[[Kaiser|El Káiser]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/news/y=2017/m=6/news=a-closer-look-at-the-confed-cup-captains-2895407.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617163312/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/news/y=2017/m=6/news=a-closer-look-at-the-confed-cup-captains-2895407.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 June 2017|title=Meet the Confed Cup captains|website=FIFA.com|date=17 June 2017|access-date=18 June 2017|quote=When you think about ''El Tri's'' captain, you don't have to look further than No4 [Rafael Márquez]. The only player in history to have captained his side in four consecutive FIFA World Cups™, 'El Káiser' will be wearing the armband once again in Russia.|publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)}}</ref> he is regarded as the best defender in Mexico's history and one of the best Mexican players of all time.<ref name="marca10">{{cite news|title=Rafael Márquez – Los 10 mejores futbolistas mexicanos de la historia |url=https://www.marca.com/deporte/futbol/mx/10-mejores-mexicanos-historia/rafa-marquez.html  |trans-title=Rafael Márquez – The 10 best Mexican footballers in history |newspaper=Marca |language=es}}</ref><ref name="Zócalo Saltillo">{{cite news|title=Rafael Márquez, la resurrección del Kaiser mexicano|url=http://www.zocalo.com.mx/seccion/articulo/rafael-marquez-la-resurreccion-del-kaiser-mexicano-1402409953|access-date=1 July 2014|publisher=Zócalo Saltillo|date=June 2014|language=es|archive-date=20 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220144835/http://www.zocalo.com.mx/seccion/articulo/rafael-marquez-la-resurreccion-del-kaiser-mexicano-1402409953|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="NY Times">{{cite news|last1=Keh|first1=Andrew|title=Despite a Wayward Journey, Márquez Is a Rock for Mexico|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/17/sports/worldcup/world-cup-2014-rafael-marquez-sets-mark-as-mexicos-captain.html|access-date=1 July 2014|work=The New York Times|date=16 June 2014}}</ref>

Márquez began his career with [[Atlas F.C.|Atlas]] in 1996, playing in over 70 games with the club before moving to France in 1999 with [[AS Monaco FC|Monaco]], where he won a [[Ligue 1]] title. In 2003, Márquez joined [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]], becoming the first ever Mexican to represent the club. He would go on to play in over 240 games during seven seasons with the ''Blaugrana'' and win numerous honors, including four [[La Liga]] titles and two [[UEFA Champions League]] titles. In 2006, he became the first Mexican player to win the Champions League when Barcelona defeated [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] in the [[2006 UEFA Champions League Final|final]]. In 2010, Márquez joined [[Major League Soccer]] club [[New York Red Bulls]]. After being released from the club in 2012, he returned to his native Mexico, this time to play for [[Club León|León]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Rafa Márquez es el nuevo refuerzo de León|date=13 December 2012 |url=http://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/mexico/noticias/2012/12/13/rafa-marquez-es-el-nuevo-refuerzo-de-leon|publisher=MedioTiempo.com|access-date=30 July 2014}}</ref> captaining the team to back-to-back [[Liga MX]] titles in 2013 and 2014. Márquez then transferred to [[Hellas Verona F.C.|Hellas Verona]] of the Italian [[Serie A]].<ref>{{cite web|title=El Tri captain Rafa Marquez heads back to Europe with transfer to Serie A side Hellas Verona|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/08/04/benvenuto-capitano-rafa-marquez-heads-back-europe-transfer-serie-side-hellas|website=MLSSoccer.com|access-date=14 August 2014|archive-date=7 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807202205/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/08/04/benvenuto-capitano-rafa-marquez-heads-back-europe-transfer-serie-side-hellas|url-status=dead}}</ref> He returned to his boyhood club Atlas in 2015, and announced his retirement from football in April 2018.

Márquez is the [[Mexico national football team#Player records|fourth most-capped player]] in the history of the [[Mexico national football team]], earning 147 [[Cap (sport)|caps]] throughout his career. In 2018, he became only the [[List of players who have appeared in multiple FIFA World Cups|fourth player]] to play for his national team in five consecutive editions of the [[FIFA World Cup]], alongside compatriot [[Antonio Carbajal]], [[Lothar Matthäus]], and [[Gianluigi Buffon]], appearing in the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002]], [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006]], [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010]], [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014]], and [[2018 FIFA World Cup|2018]] tournaments.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mexico's Rafa Marquez becomes third man to play at five World Cups |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37556766/mexico-rafa-marquez-becomes-third-man-play-five-world-cups |access-date=17 June 2018 |work=ESPN FC |date=17 June 2018}}</ref> He is also the Mexican player with the most World Cup matches played with 19.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rafael Márquez – FIFA competition record |url=https://static.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=178119/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505005806/https://static.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=178119/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 May 2019 |publisher=FIFA}}</ref> With the national team, Márquez won the [[1999 FIFA Confederations Cup]], and the [[2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2003]] and [[2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2011]] editions of the [[CONCACAF Gold Cup]].

==Club career==
===Atlas===
Márquez began his career with [[Atlas F.C.|Atlas]], making his debut in October 1996 at only 17 years of age. Márquez rose to prominence while with Atlas, making 77 appearances for the team and being runner-up in the league, losing the final against [[Deportivo Toluca F.C.|Toluca]] on penalties during the [[Primera División de México Verano 1999|Verano 1999]] tournament.<ref name="ESPN profile">{{cite web |title= Rafael Marquez|url=https://www.espnfc.com/player/11771/rafael-marquez|work=espnfc.com |publisher= ESPN |access-date=12 June 2014 }}</ref>

===Monaco===
After playing the [[1999 Copa América]] with Mexico, Márquez joined French club [[AS Monaco FC|Monaco]] for a reported US$6 million.<ref>{{cite web |title=El Mónaco ficha un mexicano |url= https://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD03/HEM/1999/08/11/MD19990811-028.pdf |publisher=[[Mundo Deportivo]] |trans-title=Monaco signs a Mexican |language=es |date=11 August 1999}}</ref> He made his debut on 14 August against [[SC Bastia|Bastia]]. In his first [[1999–2000 French Division 1|season]], Monaco won the [[Ligue 1]] (then known as the French Division 1) title, with Márquez being named in the league's Team of the Season. He went on to play in 109 matches with Monaco over four seasons, winning the [[2003 Coupe de la Ligue Final|Coupe de la Ligue]] as well.<ref>{{cite web|title= Rafa Márquez y su buen recuerdo del Mónaco |url= https://mexico.as.com/mexico/2017/05/18/futbol/1495130649_838762.html |website=AS.com |date= 18 May 2017 |language=es |access-date=18 May 2017}}</ref>

===Barcelona===
[[File:Marques Joan Gamper Trophy.jpg|thumb|left|Márquez in 2008]]
In the summer of 2003, Márquez signed for Spanish club [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]].<ref>{{cite web|last1= Polo|first1=F.|last2=Villarrubia| first2=B.|title=¡Hola Márquez! |url= https://hemeroteca-paginas.mundodeportivo.com/EMD03/PUB/2003/07/08/EMD20030708004MDP.pdf |publisher=[[Mundo Deportivo]] |language=es |date=8 June 2003}}</ref> He made his debut in [[La Liga]] on 3 September 2003 against [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]], the match ending in a 1–1 draw. On 9 November, he scored his first goal for Barcelona in their 2–1 victory over [[Real Betis]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Ortiz| first=Fabián|title=Marcó Kluivert y sentenció Márquez |url= https://as.com/masdeporte/2003/11/10/polideportivo/1068441284_850215.html |website=AS.com | date=10 November 2003|language= es |access-date=10 November 2003}}</ref> In his first [[2003–04 FC Barcelona season|season]] with Barcelona, Márquez made 22 league appearances (31 across all competitions) as the team finished second in the league, five points behind [[Valencia CF|Valencia]].

During his second season, he was moved from his natural position as a centre-back to a defensive midfield role, due to injuries to players [[Thiago Motta]], [[Edmílson]] and [[Gerard López|Gerard]]. [[2004–05 La Liga|That year]], Barcelona won its 17th league title on 14 May 2005 after a 1–1 tie with [[Levante UD|Levante]]. A month after an injury to his left knee, Márquez returned to play against [[A.C. Milan]] in the first leg of the [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League|2006 UEFA Champions League]] semi-final. Barcelona, playing away at the [[San Siro]], won 1–0. On 17 May, Barcelona won the [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]] after defeating [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] 2–1 in the [[2006 UEFA Champions League Final|final]], with Márquez playing the entire match. He became the first Mexican to play in a Champions League final and the first to win it.<ref name="marca10" /> Following his participation with Mexico at the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]], Márquez signed a four-year contract extension with Barcelona, with the buy-out clause set at €100 million.<ref>{{cite web|title=Márquez signs new deal |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/la-liga/2005-2006/marquez-signs-new-deal_sto915855/story.shtml |website=Eurosport |date=27 June 2006 |access-date=28 June 2006}}</ref>

During the [[2007–08 FC Barcelona season|2007–08 season]], Márquez formed a partnership with new signing [[Gabriel Milito]] while captain [[Carles Puyol]] was out injured. Constant injuries, however, threw off his form. Márquez's success declined with the rest of the season, leading Barcelona to end up in third place in [[2007–08 La Liga|La Liga]] after a miserable second half where injuries lead to his contribution being negligible. Even so, new coach [[Pep Guardiola]] continued to rely on his contributions; with the departure of [[Ronaldinho]], Márquez had become the last original signing of the [[Frank Rijkaard]] era to remain on the team. In October 2007, Márquez was included in the list of players nominated for the [[2007 FIFA World Player of the Year|FIFA World Player of the Year]] award, the only player from the [[CONCACAF]] to be nominated.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rafa Márquez candidato al mejor del año |date=11 October 2007 |url=https://www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/noticia/303552.rafa-marquez-candidato-al-mejor-del-ano.html |publisher=El Siglo de Torreón |language=es |access-date=11 October 2007}}</ref>

[[File:Rafael Márquez.jpg|thumb|Márquez with Barcelona in August 2009]]
Márquez was Guardiola's first-choice at centre-back along with captain Puyol for the [[2008–09 FC Barcelona season|2008–09 season]]. On 13 December 2008, Márquez played his 200th match for Barcelona in their 2–0 win against [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]].<ref>{{cite web| last=Segura|first=Anna|title= Márquez, el mejor día para hacer 200 partidos |url= http://arxiu.fcbarcelona.cat/web/castellano/noticies/futbol/temporada08-09/12/n081214106601.html |publisher=FC Barcelona |language=es |access-date=14 December 2008}}</ref> On 28 April 2009, during Barcelona's [[2008–09 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Semi-finals|2008–09 Champions League semi-final]] match against [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], Márquez sustained a knee injury which required surgery, meaning he would miss the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite web |first= Stephen| last= Crawford|title= Barcelona Defender Rafael Marquez Out for the Season|url= https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/88/spain/2009/04/28/1235575/barcelona-defender-rafael-marquez-out-for-the-season|publisher= Goal.com|date= 28 April 2009|quote= Barcelona centre-back Rafael Marquez has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury in Tuesday night's Champions League clash with Chelsea.|access-date=27 July 2009}}</ref> Barcelona would go on to complete a historic [[Treble (association football)|treble]] after winning the Champions League [[2009 UEFA Champions League Final|final]] 2–0 against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]].

Prior to the [[2009–10 FC Barcelona season|2009–10 season]], Márquez received an offer from Italian [[Serie A]] club [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]].<ref>{{cite web|title= Bueno, bonito y barato|url= http://msn.foxsports.com/fse/historia/futbol/usa/mls/9682070/Bueno,-bonito-y-barato?MSNLATINOHPHMA|publisher= [[Fox Sports en Español]]|trans-title= Good, pretty and cheap|language= es|date= 14 June 2009|quote= Florentina ha mostrado su interés formal en el mexicano Rafael Márquez..." <nowiki>["Florentina have formally demonstrated their interest in the Mexican Rafael Márquez...]</nowiki>|access-date= 27 July 2009|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090720022038/http://msn.foxsports.com/fse/historia/futbol/usa/mls/9682070/Bueno,-bonito-y-barato?MSNLATINOHPHMA|archive-date= 20 July 2009|df= dmy-all}}</ref> Márquez, however, said he wanted to end his career at Barcelona.<ref>{{cite web |title= Marquez nears return|url= https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/marquez-nears-return |work= The World Game|publisher= SBS|date= 30 April 2014|quote= It would be my wish to retire at Barca. I'm very calm with regards the contract renewal. I know that we will arrive at an agreement, so it's only a question of time.|access-date=21 April 2020}}</ref> Márquez eventually signed a new contract with Barça in November 2009 that would keep him at the club until 2012.<ref>{{cite web |title= Marquez signs new Barca deal|url= https://www.ontheminute.com/marquez-signs-new-barca-deal/19516| publisher= Ontheminute.com|date= 30 November 2009|access-date=21 April 2020}}</ref> On 20 February 2010, he scored his first goal since his return against [[Racing de Santander|Racing Santander]].

On 31 July 2010, Márquez was released from his contract by Barcelona.<ref name="Barcelona release Mexico captain">{{cite news|url=https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idINIndia-50545320100731|title=Barcelona release Mexico captain Marquez|work=Reuters News|last=Silva|first=Jorge|date=31 July 2010|access-date=21 April 2020}}</ref> During his time with the club, he played in 242 matches and scored 13 goals, making him the most-capped non-European player in the club's history and the eighth-most capped foreigner.<ref>{{cite web|title= Adeu al viute estranger amb mes partits|url= http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada10-11/08/01/n100731112233.html|archive-url= https://archive.today/20120729230429/http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada10-11/08/01/n100731112233.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= 29 July 2012|publisher= fcbarcelona.cat| date= 1 August 2010|access-date= 11 October 2010}}</ref> In his 12-year European career, Márquez appeared in 46 UEFA Champions League matches, which was the most by a Mexican or [[CONCACAF]] player,<ref name="UEFA">{{cite web |title= Márquez, Chicharito, Sánchez: CONCACAF's European stars|url= https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0253-0e99c98c8b37-3d63b084a710-1000--keylor-navas-christian-pulisic-jonathan-david-atiba-hutchins/|publisher=UEFA|date= 20 January 2016| access-date=27 March 2016}}</ref> until compatriot [[Javier Hernández]] surpassed that record in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title= Chicharito, el mexicano con más partidos en Champions League |url=https://www.goal.com/s/es-co/news/4573/internacional/2017/02/21/32929942/chicharito-el-mexicano-con-más-partidos-en-champions-league |website=Goal.com |language= es |access-date=21 February 2017}}</ref> At the time, Márquez was also one of two players from CONCACAF to play in a Champions League final, the other being Trinidad and Tobago's [[Dwight Yorke]] for Manchester United in [[1999 UEFA Champions League Final|1999]].<ref name="UEFA"/>

===New York Red Bulls===
[[File:RafaelMarquezAlvarez.jpg|220px|thumb|Márquez during his time with the New York Red Bulls]]
After seven years with and being released by Barcelona and participating at the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]], it was reported that Italian club [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] were interested in signing Márquez as a back-up for defender [[Leonardo Bonucci]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Landolina|first= Salvatore|url= http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/222/transfer-zone/2010/07/09/2017418/juventus-monitor-barcelona-defender-rafael-marquez |title=Juventus Monitor Barcelona Defender Rafael Marquez| website=Goal.com|date=27 November 2015|access-date=2 December 2015}}</ref>

On 1 August 2010, it was announced that Márquez had signed with the [[New York Red Bulls]] of [[Major League Soccer]] on a three-and-a-half-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|title=New York Red Bulls sign Mexico National Team captain Rafa Marquez|url=http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2010/08/new-york-red-bulls-sign-mexican-national-team-captain-rafa-marquez|publisher=New York Red Bulls|access-date=1 August 2010|archive-date=5 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805000842/http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2010/08/new-york-red-bulls-sign-mexican-national-team-captain-rafa-marquez|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was the club's third [[Designated Player Rule|Designated Player]] and was unveiled to the media at [[Red Bull Arena (New Jersey)|Red Bull Arena]] on 3 August wearing the number 4 jersey and reuniting with former Barcelona teammate [[Thierry Henry]]. On 8 August, Márquez made his MLS debut against the [[Chicago Fire Soccer Club|Chicago Fire]] in a scoreless draw. On 21 August, Márquez scored his first goal, an astonishing shot with his right foot, for the Red Bulls in a 4–1 win at [[Toronto FC]]. On 21 October, Márquez started for the Red Bulls in a 2–0 victory over [[New England Revolution]] which clinched the regular season [[2010 Major League Soccer|Eastern Conference]] title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter-recap/red-bulls-beat-revs-clinch-eastern-conference|title=Red Bulls Beat Revs, Clinch Eastern Conference|website=Major League Soccer|access-date=22 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101023070503/http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter-recap/red-bulls-beat-revs-clinch-eastern-conference|archive-date=23 October 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

New York released Márquez on 13 December 2012.<ref>[http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2012/12/defender-rafa-marquez-released-new-york-red-bulls Defender Rafa Marquez Released by] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214014940/http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2012/12/defender-rafa-marquez-released-new-york-red-bulls |date=14 December 2012 }}. New York Red Bulls (2 August 2010). Retrieved on 2 December 2015.</ref> His stint in New York was heavily criticized by many fans and journalists for his constant injuries, suspensions and perceived lack of commitment to the fans and club.<ref name="NY Times"/><ref name="Goal">{{cite news|last1=Isola|first1=Frank|title=Rafa Marquez continues tradition of throwing cheap shots at American players|url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2011/10/30/2735801/frank-isola-rafa-marquez-continues-tradition-of-throwing|access-date=30 July 2014|publisher=Goal.com|date=30 October 2011}}</ref><ref name="theguardian">{{cite web|last=Parker|first=Graham|title=Was Rafael Márquez the worst ever MLS designated player?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/dec/13/rafael-rafa-marquez-new-york-red-bulls-mls-flops|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=13 December 2012 |access-date=13 December 2012}}</ref> Márquez later revealed in an interview with [[ESPN Deportes]] that going to play in the United States was "a bad decision" and called it the worst decision he ever made in his career. He said that he had misjudged the arc of his career, believing it was declining faster than it was, and that he regretted declining offers from various European clubs, including one from Italian side [[Juventus FC|Juventus]].<ref name="NY Times"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Márquez considera que el Mundial de Brasil será el más complicado| date=21 May 2014 |url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/news/story?id=2092217|publisher=ESPN Deportes|access-date=21 May 2014}}</ref>

===León===
Hours after being released by the New York Red Bulls, it was announced that Márquez signed with [[Liga MX]] side [[Club León|León]], returning to his home country after 13 years abroad.<ref>{{cite web| last=Slane|first=Mike|title=Rafa Marquez signs with Leon| url= https://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2012/12/13/3600629/rafa-marquez-signs-with-leon|publisher= Goal.com |access-date=1 May 2020}}</ref> It would not be until 5 October 2013 that Márquez scored his first goal for León in the [[Liga MX]] against [[Club Puebla|Puebla]], scoring a penalty kick in the 17th minute.

On 15 December, León captured the [[2013–14 Liga MX season#Apertura|Apertura 2013]] title after defeating [[Club América|América]] 5–1 on aggregate.<ref>{{cite web|last=Terán|first=Juan Manuel|date=15 December 2013|title=La Fiera logró rugido de Campeón|url=http://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/mexico/cronicas/2013/12/15/la-fiera-logro-rugido-de-campeon_51501|publisher=Medio Tiempo|access-date=16 December 2013}}</ref> Márquez, the club captain, played in both legs as he lifted his first league title in Mexico, more than 14 years after losing the final against Toluca when he played in Atlas.<ref>{{cite web|title=León Rugió en el Estadio Azteca y es Campeón de la Liga BBVA Bancomer|url=http://www.ligamx.net/home/noticia.html?id=6190|publisher=Liga MX official website|language=es|access-date=15 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227191019/http://www.ligamx.net/home/noticia.html?id=6190|archive-date=27 February 2014}}</ref> The following tournament, Márquez helped León capture their second straight league title, becoming only the second team in history to win consecutive league titles in the short tournament era, the first being [[Club Universidad Nacional|UNAM]], who won the Clausura 2004 and Apertura 2004.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ramos Villegrana|first=Rafael|title=Rafa Márquez: Architect of his utopias| date=7 August 2014|url= https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37400055/architect-utopias | publisher=ESPN|access-date=1 May 2020}}</ref> He also became the first [[Mexicans|Mexican]] footballer to win league titles in three countries.<ref name="marca10" />

===Hellas Verona===
On 7 August 2014, [[Hellas Verona F.C.|Hellas Verona]] of Serie A signed Márquez on undisclosed terms.<ref>{{cite news|title=Transfer news: Hellas Verona have secured the services of Rafael Marquez|url=https://www1.skysports.com/football/news/29145/9409892/transfer-news-hellas-verona-have-secured-the-services-of-rafael-marquez|access-date=19 October 2014|publisher=Sky Sports News|date=7 August 2014}}</ref> He stated that he had taken a pay cut to join the club as he was desperate to return to Europe.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rafael Marquez Reveals Salary Cut to Join Hellas Verona|url=http://www.beinsports.tv/soccer/article/1l5omx2yo4v6x1d5ufhc23qdkj/title/rafael-marquez-reveals-salary-cut-to-join-hellas-verona|access-date=19 October 2014|work=beIN Sports}}</ref> Márquez made his league debut on 31 August, starting as Verona played out a goalless draw at home against [[Atalanta B.C.|Atalanta]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Italian Serie A report: Verona held by Atalanta|url=https://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/323216/report|access-date=19 October 2014|publisher=Sky Sports News|date=31 August 2014}}</ref>

===Return to Atlas===
On 21 December 2015, it was announced that Márquez had officially transferred to [[Atlas F.C.|Atlas]], returning to the club he debuted with.<ref>{{cite web|title=Official: Marquez joines Atlas |url=http://www.football-italia.net/77430/official-marquez-joins-atlas |website=Football Italia |date=21 December 2015 |access-date=21 December 2015}}</ref> He was handed the number 4 shirt.

On 19 April 2018, Márquez announced that he would retire at the end of the [[2017–18 Liga MX season|season]]. He did, however, state his intention of representing Mexico at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup|World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news| last=Mancera|first=Diego|title= Rafael Márquez se retira |url= https://elpais.com/deportes/2018/04/19/actualidad/1524167520_875822.html |trans-title=Rafael Márquez to retire |work=El País |date=19 April 2018 |language=es |access-date=19 April 2018}}</ref> Márquez played his final match at the [[Estadio Jalisco]] on 20 April, a 1–0 victory in the [[Clásico Tapatío]] against [[C.D. Guadalajara|Guadalajara]]. The following week, Márquez played his final club match against [[C.F. Pachuca|Pachuca]] at the [[Estadio Hidalgo]], which ended in a 0–0 draw.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ligamx.net/cancha/detallenoticia/25047/rafael-marquez-cerro-su-carrera-a-nivel-de-clubes|title=Rafael Márquez Cerró su Carrera a Nivel de Clubes|language=es|trans-title=Rafael Márquez finished his career at the club level|date=28 April 2018|access-date=28 April 2018}}</ref>

==International career==
[[File:On the day of the keeper Ochoa 04.jpg|thumb|Márquez defending [[Marcelo (footballer, born 1988)|Marcelo]] at the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]]]]
Márquez made his debut with [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]] on 5 February 1997 in a friendly match against [[Ecuador national football team|Ecuador]]. It was reported that his call-up was due to an error made by national team coach [[Bora Milutinović]], who wanted to call up fellow Atlas player César Márquez.<ref name="Feb 14">{{cite web|title=Los diez momentos en la carrera de Rafael Márquez |url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/mexico/nota/_/id/2975582/los-10-momentos-en-la-carrera-de-rafael-marquez |website=ESPN Deportes |date=12 February 2017 |language=es |access-date=14 February 2017}}</ref> Márquez became a regular call-up for Mexico, although he was not chosen for the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] squad. Márquez played various tournaments with the national team, winning the [[1999 FIFA Confederations Cup]] and losing to Canada at the [[2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup]]. Márquez started all four of Mexico's games during the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 World Cup]] in South Korea and Japan, where he was given the [[Captain (association football)|captain]]'s armband by then coach [[Javier Aguirre]] despite his young age of 23. He received a red card during Mexico's second round 2–0 loss to the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]] for a deliberate mid-air head butt on [[Cobi Jones]] in the final minutes of the match.

Márquez was selected by [[Ricardo La Volpe]] for the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]] in Germany. Márquez played in all of three of Mexico's opening round matches, and scored the lone Mexican goal in a 2–1 loss to [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] in the second round off a [[Pável Pardo]] free kick which was headed to the far post by [[Mario Méndez (Mexican footballer)|Mario Méndez]], allowing an unmarked Márquez to strike the ball into the back of the net. The winner was scored by [[Maxi Rodríguez]] in extra time after [[Hernán Crespo]] had equalised for Argentina.<ref>{{cite news|title=Argentina 2–1 Mexico (aet)|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/4991492.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=24 June 2006}}</ref>

New Mexico coach [[Hugo Sánchez]] called-up Márquez to participate in the [[2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup]] and the [[2007 Copa América]]. Márquez joined up with the team Mexico for the Gold Cup's championship game against the United States after the conclusion of [[2006–07 La Liga]]; he started the match, which Mexico lost 2–1.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dodd|first=Mike|title=U.S. continues dominance vs. Mexico in Gold Cup final|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2007-06-24-usa-mexico-goldcup_N.htm|newspaper=[[USA TODAY]]|access-date=25 June 2007}}</ref>

Márquez captained Mexico at the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]], scoring Mexico's goal in the tournament's opening match against [[South Africa national football team|South Africa]] which ended in a 1–1 draw.<ref>{{cite news|last1= Clarke|last2=Raghavan|first1=Liz| first2=Sudarsan|title=World Cup 2010: Host South Africa tie Mexico,1–1, in opener|url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/11/AR2010061103463.html|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=12 June 2010}}</ref> In Mexico's 2–0 win against [[France national football team|France]], Márquez assisted [[Javier Hernández]] in Mexico's first goal.<ref>{{cite news|last=Glendenning|first=Barry|title=World Cup 2010: France v Mexico – as it happened|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jun/17/world-cup-2010-france-mexico-live|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=17 June 2010}}</ref>

On 29 March 2011, Márquez became the eighth player in history to reach [[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps|100 caps]] for Mexico in a friendly match against [[Venezuela national football team|Venezuela]], where Mexico drew 1–1.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/new-york-red-bulls-marquez-triumphs-100th-mexico-cap-1534941 | title=New York Red Bulls' Marquez triumphs in 100th Mexico cap | work=TribalFootball.com | date=29 March 2011 | first=Andrew | last=Slevison | access-date=10 October 2012}}</ref>

During Mexico's opening match at the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 World Cup]] – a 1–0 win over [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]] – Márquez became the first player to captain a team in four [[FIFA World Cup|World Cups]].<ref name="NY Times" /> On 23 June, he scored the opening goal in the 3–1 win against [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]], thus advancing to the knockout stage.<ref>{{cite news|last= Sanghera|first=Mandeep|url= https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285326|title=Croatia 1–3 Mexico |date=23 June 2014|access-date=24 June 2014|work=BBC}}</ref> This goal made Márquez the first Mexican player to score in three consecutive World Cups, and the second Mexican player ever to score in three World Cups after [[Cuauhtémoc Blanco]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Torres|first=José Antonio |url= https://www.mundodeportivo.com/20140624/futbol/rafael-marquez-iguala-a-cuauhtemoc-blanco-al-marcar-en-tres-mundiales_54410245674.html|title=Rafael Márquez iguala a Cuauhtémoc Blanco al marcar en tres mundiales|date=24 June 2014|access-date=24 June 2014|language=es|work=El Mundo Deportivo}}</ref>

In May 2015, it was announced Márquez was included in the 23-man squad that would participate in the [[2015 Copa América|Copa América]] tournament in Chile.<ref>{{cite web|last=Perisco|first=Luca|date=12 May 2015|title=Mexico Head Coach Miguel Herrera names 23 man squad for 2015 Copa América|url=http://www.sambafoot.com/en/news/72058_mexico_head_coach_miguel_herrera_names_23_man_squad_for_2015_copa_america.html|website=sambafoot.com|access-date=3 June 2015}}</ref> He was selected to start as captain in Mexico's opening fixture of the tournament, a 0–0 draw with [[Bolivia national football team|Bolivia]] in [[Viña del Mar]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Rodriguez|first=Alicia|title=Mexico struggle in 0–0 draw against Bolivia to open Copa America play|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/06/12/mexico-struggle-0-0-draw-against-bolivia-open-copa-america-play|website=MLSSoccer.com|date=12 June 2015|access-date=13 June 2015|archive-date=16 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616174158/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/06/12/mexico-struggle-0-0-draw-against-bolivia-open-copa-america-play|url-status=dead}}</ref> The following year, Márquez captained Mexico at the [[Copa América Centenario]], scoring in their opening game a 3–1 victory over [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2016/jun/05/copa-america-mexico-uruguay-group-c-latest-score|title=Mexico 3-1 Uruguay: Copa América – as it happened|newspaper=The Guardian|date=6 June 2016|last1=Echegaray|first1=Luis Miguel}}</ref>

[[File:Mex-Kor_(51).jpg|thumb|200px|Márquez captaining Mexico against [[South Korea national football team|South Korea]] at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]]]]

On 11 November 2016, in a [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification|2018 World Cup qualifier]] in [[Columbus, Ohio]], Márquez scored the winning goal for Mexico in the 89th minute to seal a 2–1 victory over the United States.

Appearing in Mexico's second [[2017 FIFA Confederations Cup#Group stage|group-stage]] match against New Zealand at the [[2017 FIFA Confederations Cup]], Márquez –  at 38 years and four months – became the second-oldest player to appear in a match in Confederations Cup history. He was also making his first appearance at the tournament since 2005, setting new record for most years between consecutive matches with twelve.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mexico survive scare to edge past New Zealand |date=21 June 2017 |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/fifa-confederations-cup/2017/mexico-v-new-zealand-live_sto6225793/story.shtml |publisher=Eurosport |access-date=21 June 2017}}</ref>

On 4 June 2018, Marquez was named in Mexico's final 23-man squad for the [[2018 FIFA World Cup|World Cup]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/miseleccionmx/status/1003503195367321602|title=Selección Nacional on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=4 June 2018|language=en}}</ref> This meant he would travel to his fifth World Cup finals, becoming only the fourth player in history to do so, alongside German [[Lothar Matthäus]], Italian [[Gianluigi Buffon]] and fellow Mexican [[Antonio Carbajal]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/statistics-and-records/worldcup/players/index.html|title=Statistics and Records – FIFA World Cup – Players|publisher=FIFA|access-date=4 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108042854/https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/statistics-and-records/worldcup/players/index.html|archive-date=8 November 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was substituted in for [[Andrés Guardado]] at the 74th minute in Mexico's 1–0 win over defending-champions [[Germany national football team|Germany]], and became the third man in history to play at a fifth World Cup.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mexico's Rafa Marquez 'in great shape' after joining elite World Cup group |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/mexico/story/3530131/mexicos-rafa-marquez-becomes-third-man-to-play-at-five-world-cups|work=ESPN |date=17 June 2018|access-date=21 June 2018}}</ref> On 2 July, in Mexico's round of 16 match against [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]], Márquez became the first player ever to play as a captain in five World Cups and was substituted off at half-time, marking his last appearance as a professional.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rafa Márquez y su amargo retiro del futbol|url=http://www.milenio.com/deportes/futbol/rafael-marquez-se-retiro-de-las-canchas|work=Milenio|date=7 February 2018 |access-date=2 July 2018}}</ref>

== Coaching career ==
Following his retirement, he was introduced as Atlas' new sporting president, succeeding [[Fabricio Bassa]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Rafael Marquez to take the role of sporting president at Atlas|url=https://www.fmfstateofmind.com/2018/7/10/17554314/rafael-marquez-to-take-the-role-of-sporting-president-at-atlas-liga-mx|work=FMF State of Mind|first=Rafael|last=Diaz|date=10 July 2018|access-date=7 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Rafa Marquez: Atlas DNA similar to that of Barcelona|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37559599/rafa-marquez-says-atlas-dna-similar-barcelona|work=ESPN|first=Tom|last=Marshall|date=7 August 2018|access-date=7 August 2018}}</ref> He held the position until May 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rafa Márquez anuncia que dejará de ser el director deportivo del Atlas |url=https://www.economiahoy.mx/deportes-eAm-mx/noticias/9894652/05/19/Rafa-Marquez-anuncia-que-dejara-de-ser-el-director-deportivo-del-Atlas.html |website=Economíahoy.mx |language=es |access-date=13 May 2019}}</ref> In October 2021, Márquez joined the [[TUDN (TV network)|TUDN]] network as an analyst and commentator for national team games.<ref>{{Cite web|last=egonzalezd|date=31 October 2021|title=Rafael Márquez, nuevo comentarista de TUDN para los partidos de la Selección Mexicana|url=https://www.record.com.mx/empelotados/rafael-marquez-nuevo-comentarista-de-tudn-para-los-partidos-de-la-seleccion-mexicana|access-date=14 February 2022|website=Record.com.mx|language=es}}</ref>

=== Alcalá ===
On 8 April 2020, Márquez was appointed as a youth coach at [[RSD Alcalá|Alcalá]], taking care of the Cadete A (under 15) squad for the 2020–21 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rafa Márquez se suma al proyecto de cantera de la RSD Alcalá |url=https://www.rsdalcala.com/noticias/rafa-marquez-se-suma-al-proyecto-de-cantera-de-la-rsd-alcala/ |access-date=14 July 2022 |website=RSD Alcalá |language=es }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 April 2020 |title=Rafa Márquez returns to Spain... As a coach of Alcalá |url=https://www.fcbarcelonanoticias.com/en/fc-barcelona/rafa-marquez-returns-to-spain-as-coach-alcala_259665_102.html |access-date=13 July 2022 |website=FC Barcelona Noticias}}</ref>

=== Barcelona Atlètic ===
On 14 July 2022, Márquez was appointed head coach of [[FC Barcelona Atlètic|Barcelona Atlètic]], signing a two-year contract.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 July 2022 |title=Rafa Márquez appointed coach of Barça Atlétic |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/2677472/rafa-marquez-appointed-coach-of-barca-atletic |access-date=14 July 2022 |publisher=FC Barcelona}}</ref> In his first [[2022–23 Primera Federación|season]] in charge, he led Barça Atlètic to a fourth place finish, qualifying for the promotional playoffs before being eliminated by [[Real Madrid Castilla]] 5–4 on aggregate. On 14 June 2023, it was announced that Márquez would continue with the team, signing an extension.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rafa Márquez to continue as coach of Barça Atlètic |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/barca-b/news/3535900/rafa-marquez-to-continue-as-coach-of-barca-atletic |publisher=FC Barcelona |access-date=14 June 2023}}</ref> On 21 July 2024, [[FC Barcelona Atlètic|Barcelona Atlètic]] announced Rafael's departure of the club.

=== Mexico === 
On 22 July 2024, Márquez joined the [[Mexico national football team|Mexico national team]] as the assistant coach to [[Javier Aguirre]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://miseleccion.mx/noticias/5579/Javier-Aguirre-y-Rafael-M%C3%A1rquez-se-unen-a-la-SNM-para-el-Proyecto-2030|title=Rafa Márquez, auxiliar de Selección Mexicana oficial|publisher=miseleccion|date=22 July 2024}}</ref> In March 2025, Márquez and Aguirre helped Mexico achieve its first [[2024–25 CONCACAF Nations League|Nations League]] title after defeating [[Panama national football team|Panama]] 2–1 in the [[2025 CONCACAF Nations League final|final]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/44383231/mexico-turn-back-clock-first-concacaf-nations-league-title|title=Mexico's old-school approach takes them to first Concacaf Nations League title|date=24 March 2025|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> In July that year, they helped Mexico win the [[2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup|Gold Cup]] after defeating rivals the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]] 2–1 in the [[2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup final|final]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45684192/mexico-beats-usmnt-win-10th-gold-cup|title=Mexico takes down USMNT to win 10th Gold Cup|date=7 July 2025|website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

==Style of play and reception==
Capable of playing as a centre-back, sweeper, or defensive midfielder,<ref name="Barcelona release Mexico captain"/> Márquez is widely considered to be one of Mexico's greatest-ever players.<ref name="marca10" /><ref name="Zócalo Saltillo"/><ref name="NY Times" /> He has been described as elegant on the ball and in his tackling, possessing excellent technical ability and vision, tactical awareness, dependable in the air for both defending and attacking, and being skillful coming out of defense. Affectionately nicknamed the "Kaiser of Michoacan", he also stood out for his leadership ability.<ref name="ESPN"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37495646/rafa-marquez-return-mexico-world-cup-squad-looking-likely-juan-carlos-osorio |title=Rafa Marquez has retired but will he still play for Mexico at the World Cup? |publisher=ESPN FC |last1=Marshall |first1=Tom |date=1 May 2018 |access-date=17 May 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com.au/football/story/_/id/37583516/how-first-matchday-post-coronavirus-lockdown-looked |title=Tactics Board: Alves, Marquez, Robben |publisher=ESPN FC |last1=Jolly |first1=Richard |date=14 June 2014 |access-date=17 May 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://soccer.nbcsports.com/tag/rafa-marquez/ |title=Marquez closer to 5th World Cup after making preliminary Mexico squad |publisher=NBC Sports |date=14 May 2018 |access-date=17 May 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/25/a-tadpole-in-rafas-big-pond/ |title=A Tadpole in Rafa's Big Pond |work=The New York Times |last1=Ream |first1=Tim |date=25 April 2011 |access-date=16 May 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/nov/01/championsleague1 |title=Player ratings |work=The Guardian |last1=Brodkin |first1=Jon |date=1 November 2006 |access-date=17 May 2020 }}</ref> In 2024, [[La Liga]] included Márquez in its Barcelona best eleven of the 21st century.<ref name="ESPN">{{cite news|url= https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/espana/nota/_/id/13114941/rafael-marquez-tendencia-once-ideal-barceloa-siglo-21 |title=Rafael Márquez, tendencia tras aparecer en once ideal del Barcelona |publisher=ESPN Deportes|language=es|date=18 January 2024|access-date=21 January 2024}}</ref>

==Outside football==
===Personal life===
Márquez's father, [[Rafael Márquez Esqueda]], was also a professional footballer. Rafael married Mexican actress [[Adriana Lavat]] in December 2001 and had two children, [[Santiago Márquez|Santiago Rafael]] and Rafaela, before separating in 2007 and divorcing.<ref>[http://www.tvyespectaculos.com/2007/11/15/adriana-lavat-y-rafa-marquez-firman-divorcio-por-separado Adriana Lavat y Rafa Márquez firman divorcio por separado] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090809195355/http://www.tvyespectaculos.com/2007/11/15/adriana-lavat-y-rafa-marquez-firman-divorcio-por-separado/ |date=9 August 2009 }}. Tvyespectaculos.com (15 November 2007). Retrieved on 2 December 2015.</ref> He is now married to [[Jaydy Michel]], ex-wife of singer [[Alejandro Sanz]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090724042446/http://www.vefutbol.com.mx/notas/16792.html Jaydy Michel, blaugrana de corazón]. vefutbol.com.mx (26 May 2006)</ref> His younger cousin, [[Luis Alberto Márquez]], is also a professional footballer. Luis developed in Atlas' rival club, [[C.D. Guadalajara|Guadalajara]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chivasdecorazon.com.mx/noticias/17095/el-perfil-de-cantera-luis-alberto-mrquez-quezada|title=El perfil de cantera: Luis Alberto Márquez Quezada|date=12 September 2012|website=Chivas}}</ref> and also played for [[Atlético Zacatepec|Zacatepec]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ascensomx.net/cancha/jugador/79104/eyJpZENsdWIiOiAxMDQ0OH0=/luis-alberto-marquez-quezada|title=ASCENSO MX – Página Oficial de la Liga del Fútbol Profesional en México .: Bienvenido|first=LIGA MX / ASCENSO|last=MX|website=www.ascensomx.net|access-date=13 January 2017|archive-date=13 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113172349/http://www.ascensomx.net/cancha/jugador/79104/eyJpZENsdWIiOiAxMDQ0OH0=/luis-alberto-marquez-quezada|url-status=dead}}</ref>

He appeared on the North American cover of ''[[FIFA 12]]'' alongside [[Wayne Rooney]] and [[Landon Donovan]].<ref>{{cite web |title=FIFA 12 North American Cover Stars Revealed! |url=https://www.ea.com/news/fifa-12-na-cover-1 |publisher=EA |first=Nemanja |last=Trapara |date=8 August 2011 |access-date=1 May 2020 |archive-date=12 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812035449/http://www.ea.com/news/fifa-12-na-cover-1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In October 2017, Márquez helped found ''Asociación Mexicana de Futbolistas'' (Mexican Footballers Association).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://fifpro.org/en/who-we-are/fifpro-members/mexican-union-amfpro-five-years-of-success-and-a-collective-agreement-in-its-sights/ | title=Mexican union AMFpro: Five years of success and a collective agreement in its sights - FIFPRO World Players' Union }}</ref>

===Kingpin Act designation===
On 9 August 2017, it was reported that Márquez was among 22 people sanctioned under the [[Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act]] (also known as the "Kingpin Act") by the [[United States Treasury Department]] for alleged ties to a drug trafficking organization allegedly headed by Raúl Flores Hernández,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espnfc.com/mexican-liga-mx/story/3175961/mexicos-rafael-marquez-among-22-sanctioned-for-drug-trafficking-ties|title=Mexico's Rafael Marquez among 22 sanctioned for drug trafficking ties|work=ESPNFC.com|access-date=9 August 2017}}</ref> a suspected drug trafficker with links to the [[Sinaloa Cartel]] and the [[Jalisco New Generation Cartel]].<ref name=":1" /> He was placed on a [[Specially Designated Nationals List]] by the Treasury Department's [[Office of Foreign Assets Control]] (OFAC). Nine businesses, including a soccer school and charitable foundation, were linked to Márquez by the OFAC. All 22 people were accused of providing support to, or being under the control of Flores Hernández.<ref name=":0" />

According to the OFAC, Márquez conducted money laundering by acting as a strawperson for Flores Hernández and his criminal organization. They alleged that Márquez used businessmen Mauricio Heredia Horner and Marco Antonio Fregoso González to act for or on his behalf. Márquez's assets "that are under U.S. jurisdiction or are in the control of U.S. persons" would be frozen.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|title=Treasury Sanctions Longtime Mexican Drug Kingpin Raul Flores Hernandez and His Vast Network|url=https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/sm0144.aspx|publisher=[[United States Department of the Treasury]]|date=9 August 2017|access-date=9 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813052500/https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/sm0144.aspx|archive-date=13 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web|last1=Draper|first1= Kevin|last2=Malkin|first2=Elisabeth|title=Mexico's Rafael Márquez Accused of Aiding Drug Kingpin |url =https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/08/09/sports/soccer/rafa-marquez-mexico-drugs.html? |work=The New York Times |date=9 August 2017 |access-date=9 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819150724/https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/08/09/sports/soccer/rafa-marquez-mexico-drugs.html |archive-date=19 August 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Mexican [[Attorney General of Mexico|Attorney General's Office]] said in a statement that Márquez came voluntarily to their offices to provide a statement that same day.<ref>{{cite web |title=Soccer star Marquez, singer Alvarez among targets of sanctions for alleged drug ties |url=http://abc7.com/sports/soccer-star-marquez-singer-alvarez-sanctioned-for-alleged-drug-ties/2289974/ |website=abc7.com |publisher=ABC |date=9 August 2017 |access-date=9 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810052058/http://abc7.com/sports/soccer-star-marquez-singer-alvarez-sanctioned-for-alleged-drug-ties/2289974/ |archive-date=10 August 2017 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> Since 22 September 2021 he has been removed from the list and is now clear of his name from the U.S. Treasury Department.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kingpin Act Designations; Counter Narcotics Designations Updates and Removals; Somalia Designation Update|url=https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20210922|access-date=14 February 2022|website=U.S. Department of the Treasury|language=en}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season
!colspan=3|League
!colspan=2|National cup{{efn|Includes [[Coupe de France]]. [[Copa del Rey]], [[U.S. Open Cup]], [[Coppa Italia]]}}
!colspan=2|League cup{{efn|Includes [[Coupe de la Ligue]]}}
!colspan=2|Continental
!colspan=2|Other
!colspan=2|Total
|-
!Division||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals
|-
|rowspan=4|[[Atlas F.C.|Atlas]]
|[[1996–97 Mexican Primera División season|1996–97]]
|[[Liga MX|Mexican Primera División]]
|24||2||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||24||2
|-
|[[1997–98 Mexican Primera División season|1997–98]]
|Mexican Primera División
|20||1||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||20||1
|-
|[[Primera División de México Invierno 1998|1998]] [[Primera División de México Verano 1999|–99]]
|Mexican Primera División
|33||3||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||33||3
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!77||6||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||77||6
|-
|rowspan=5|[[AS Monaco FC|Monaco]]
|[[1999–2000 AS Monaco FC season|1999–2000]]
|[[Ligue 1]]
|23||3||2||0||2||0||6{{efn|name=UC|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||0||colspan=2|—||33||3
|-
|[[2000–01 French Division 1|2000–01]]
|Ligue 1
|15||1||0||0||3||0||4{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}||0||0||0||22||1
|-
|[[2001–02 AS Monaco FC season|2001–02]]
|Ligue 1
|21||0||3||0||2||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||26||0
|-
|[[2002–03 AS Monaco FC season|2002–03]]
|Ligue 1
|30||1||0||0||3||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||33||1
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!89||5||5||0||10||0||10||0||0||0||114||5
|-
|rowspan=9|[[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
|[[2003–04 FC Barcelona season|2003–04]]
|[[La Liga]]
|22||1||6||0||colspan=2|—||3{{efn|name=UC}}||0||colspan=2|—||31||1
|-
|[[2004–05 FC Barcelona season|2004–05]]
|La Liga
|34||3||1||0||colspan=2|—||6{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan=2|—||41||3
|-
|[[2005–06 FC Barcelona season|2005–06]]
|La Liga
|25||0||3||1||colspan=2|—||8{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|name=SDE|Appearance in [[Supercopa de España]]}}||0||37||1
|-
|[[2006–07 FC Barcelona season|2006–07]]
|La Liga
|21||1||5||0||colspan=2|—||6{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||5{{efn|Two appearances in Supercopa de España, one appearance in [[UEFA Super Cup]], two appearances and one goal in [[FIFA Club World Cup]]}}||1||37||2
|-
|[[2007–08 FC Barcelona season|2007–08]]
|La Liga
|23||2||5||0||colspan=2|—||8{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan=2|—||36||2
|-
|[[2008–09 FC Barcelona season|2008–09]]
|La Liga
|23||1||4||1||colspan=2|—||10{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||colspan=2|—||37||3
|-
|[[2009–10 FC Barcelona season|2009–10]]
|La Liga
|15||1||3||0||colspan=2|—||4{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|Appearance in FIFA Club World Cup}}||0||23||1
|-
|[[2010–11 FC Barcelona season|2010– 11]]
|La Liga
|0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||0||0
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!163||9||27||2||colspan=2|—||45||1||7||1||242||13
|-
|rowspan=4|[[New York Red Bulls]]
|[[2010 New York Red Bulls season|2010]]
|[[Major League Soccer]]
|10||1||2||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||0||0||12||1
|-
|[[2011 New York Red Bulls season|2011]]
|Major League Soccer
|19||0||2||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||0||0||21||0
|-
|[[2012 New York Red Bulls season|2012]]
|Major League Soccer
|15||0||2||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||0||0||17||0
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!44||1||6||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||0||0||50||1
|-
|rowspan=4|[[Club León|León]]
|[[2012–13 Club León season|2012–13]]
|[[Liga MX]]
|13||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||1||0||colspan=2|—||14||1
|-
|[[2013–14 Liga MX season|2013–14]]
|Liga MX
|35||1||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||7||0||colspan=2|—||42||1
|-
|[[2014–15 Liga MX season|2014–15]]
|Liga MX
|2||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||2||0
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!50||1||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||8||0||colspan=2|—||58||1
|-
|rowspan=3|[[Hellas Verona FC|Hellas Verona]]
|[[2014–15 Hellas Verona FC season|2014–15]]
|[[Serie A]]
|26||0||3||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||29||0
|-
|[[2015–16 Hellas Verona FC season|2015–16]]
|Serie A
|9||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||10||0
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!35||0||4||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||39||0
|-
|rowspan=4|Atlas
|[[2015–16 Liga MX season|2015–16]]
|Liga MX
|14||1||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||14||1
|-
|[[2016–17 Liga MX season|2016–17]]
|Liga MX
|23||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||23||0
|-
|[[2017–18 Liga MX season|2017–18]]
|Liga MX
|21||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||21||0
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!58||1||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||58||1
|-
!colspan=3|Career total
!516||23||42||2||10||0||63||1||7||1||638||27
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===
'''Appearances and goals by national team and year'''
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!National team
!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
| rowspan="22" |[[Mexico national football team|Mexico]]
| 1997 ||1||0
|-
| 1998 ||0||0
|-
| 1999 ||12||1
|-
| 2000 ||10||2
|-
| 2001 ||12||0
|-
| 2002 ||7||1
|-
| 2003 ||4||1
|-
| 2004 ||8||1
|-
| 2005 ||9||1
|-
| 2006 ||6||1
|-
| 2007 ||9||1
|-
| 2008 ||6||1
|-
| 2009 ||2||0
|-
| 2010 ||11||1
|-
| 2011 ||12||1
|-
| 2012 ||2||0
|-
| 2013 ||4||1
|-
| 2014 ||9||2
|-
| 2015 ||5||0
|-
| 2016 ||7||2
|-
| 2017 ||6||0
|-
| 2018 ||5||0
|-
! colspan="2" |Total||147||17
|}

Sources:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/4358/Rafael_Marquez.html|title=Rafael Márquez – National Football Teams|website=National Football Teams|access-date=23 June 2018}}</ref>

'''International goals'''
:''Scores and results list Mexico's goal tally first.''<ref>{{cite web |last1=Passo Alpuin |first1=Luis Fernando |title=Rafael Márquez - Century of International Appearances |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/rmarquez-intl.html |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Goal !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
|-
| 1. || 5 February 1999 || [[Hong Kong Stadium]], [[Wan Chai]], Hong Kong || {{fb|EGY}} || align=center|1–0 || align="center" |3–0 || [[1999 Carlsberg Cup]]
|-
| 2. || 13 February 2000 || [[San Diego Stadium|Qualcomm Stadium]], [[San Diego]], United States || {{fb|TRI}} || align=center|1–0 || align="center" |4–0 || [[2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup]]
|-
| 3. || 3 September 2000 ||[[Estadio Azteca]], [[Mexico City]], Mexico || {{fb|PAN}} || align=center|5–1 || align="center" |7–1 || [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)|2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier]]
|-
| 4. || 12 May 2002 
|Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico|| {{fb|COL}} || align=center|2–1 || align="center" |2–1 || [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
| 5. || 24 July 2003 
|Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico|| {{fb|CRC}} || align=center|1–0 || align="center" |2–0 || [[2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup]]
|-
| 6. || 19 June 2004 || [[Alamodome]], [[San Antonio]], United States || {{fb|DMA}} || align=center|3–0 || align="center" |10–0 ||[[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)|2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier]]
|-
| 7. || 7 September 2005 || Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico || {{fb|PAN}} || align=center|2–0 || align="center" |5–0
|2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier
|-
| 8. || 24 June 2006 || [[Red Bull Arena (Leipzig)|Zentralstadion]], [[Leipzig]], Germany || {{fb|ARG}} || align=center|1–0 || align="center" |1–2 ([[Extra time|a.e.t.]]) || [[2006 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
| 9. || 28 March 2007 || [[Oakland Coliseum|McAfee Coliseum]], [[Oakland, California|Oakland]], United States || {{fb|ECU}} || align=center|2–2 || align="center" |4–2 || Friendly
|-
| 10. || 10 September 2008 || [[Estadio Víctor Manuel Reyna]], [[Tuxtla Gutiérrez]], Mexico || {{fb|CAN}} || align=center|2–0 || align="center" |2–1 || [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)|2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier]]
|-
| 11. || 11 June 2010 || [[FNB Stadium|Soccer City]], [[Johannesburg]], South Africa || {{fb|RSA}} || align=center|1–1 || align="center" |1–1|| [[2010 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
| 12. || 12 June 2011 || [[Soldier Field]], [[Chicago]], United States || {{fb|CRC}} || align=center|1–0 || align="center" |4–1 || [[2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup]]
|-
| 13. || 13 November 2013 || Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico || {{fb|NZL}} ||align=center|5–0 || align="center" |5–1 || [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)|2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier]]
|-
| 14. || 2 April 2014 || [[State Farm Stadium|University of Phoenix Stadium]], [[Glendale, Arizona|Glendale]], United States || {{fb|USA}} ||align=center|1–2 || align="center" |2–2 || Friendly
|-
| 15. || 23 June 2014 || [[Arena Pernambuco]], [[São Lourenço da Mata]], Brazil || {{fb|CRO}} ||align=center| 1–0 || align="center" | 3–1 || [[2014 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
| 16. || 5 June 2016 || University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, United States || {{fb|URU}} ||align=center|2–1 || align="center" |3–1 || [[Copa América Centenario]]
|-
| 17. || 11 November 2016 || [[Historic Crew Stadium|Mapfre Stadium]], [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]], United States || {{fb|USA}} || align=center|2–1 || align="center" |2–1 || [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)|2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier]]
|}

===Managerial===
{{updated|match played 23 June 2024}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"	
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure			
|-
!rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|Nat
!rowspan="2"|From
!rowspan="2"|To
!colspan="8"|Record
!rowspan=2|{{abbr|Ref|Reference}}
|-	
!{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}}
!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}
!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}
!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}
!{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}
!{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}
!{{Tooltip|GD|Goal difference}}
!{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}	
|-
| [[FC Barcelona Atlètic|Barcelona Atlètic]]
| {{flagicon|Spain}}
| 14 July 2022
| 21 July 2024
{{WDL|82|40|21|21|for=118|against=91|diff=yes}}
|<ref>{{BDFutbol season|l2272|2022-23|access-date=20 January 2023}}<br />{{BDFutbol season|l2272|2023-24|access-date=14 March 2024}}</ref>
|-
! colspan=4| Career total
{{WDLtot|82|40|21|21|for=118|against=91|diff=yes}}
!—
|}
==Honours==
'''Monaco'''<ref name=SW>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/rafael-marquez-alvarez/416/|title=R. Márquez|work=Soccerway|access-date=3 January 2016}}</ref>
*[[Ligue 1|French Division 1]]: [[1999–2000 French Division 1|1999–2000]]
*[[Coupe de la Ligue]]: [[2003 Coupe de la Ligue Final|2002–03]]
*[[Trophée des Champions]]: [[2000 Trophée des Champions|2000]]

'''Barcelona'''<ref name=SW/>
* [[La Liga]]: [[2004–05 La Liga|2004–05]], [[2005–06 La Liga|2005–06]], [[2008–09 La Liga|2008–09]], [[2009–10 La Liga|2009–10]]
* [[Copa del Rey]]: [[2008–09 Copa del Rey|2008–09]]
* [[Supercopa de España]]: [[2005 Supercopa de España|2005]], [[2006 Supercopa de España|2006]], [[2009 Supercopa de España|2009]], [[2010 Supercopa de España|2010]]
* [[UEFA Champions League]]: [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League|2005–06]], [[2008–09 UEFA Champions League|2008–09]]
* [[UEFA Super Cup]]: [[2009 UEFA Super Cup|2009]]
* [[FIFA Club World Cup]]: [[2009 FIFA Club World Cup|2009]]

'''New York Red Bulls'''
*[[Eastern Conference (MLS)|Eastern Conference Regular Season]]: [[2010 Major League Soccer season|2010]]

'''León'''<ref name=SW/>
*[[Liga MX]]: [[2013–14 Liga MX season#Torneo Apertura|Apertura 2013]], [[2013–14 Liga MX season#Torneo Clausura|Clausura 2014]]

'''Mexico'''<ref name=SW/>
*[[FIFA Confederations Cup]]: [[1999 FIFA Confederations Cup|1999]]
*[[CONCACAF Gold Cup]]: [[2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2003]], [[2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2011]]
*[[CONCACAF Cup]]: [[CONCACAF Cup|2015]]
'''Individual'''
*[[CONCACAF Gold Cup]] Best XI: [[2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2000]]
*[[Ligue 1|French Division 1]] Best Defender: 2001
*[[CONCACAF]] Best Player: 2005
*[[Free Kick Masters]]: 2008
*Tecate Premios Deportes Best Center-back: 2009<ref name=Tecate>{{cite web | url=https://myboxingfans.com/2009/07/tecate-sports-awards-are-a-knockout/ | title=Tecate Sports Awards are a Knockout! &#124; MyBoxingFans - Boxing News | date=7 July 2009 }}</ref>
*Tecate Premios Deportes Best XI: 2009<ref name=Tecate/>
*[[CONCACAF Awards|CONCACAF Best XI]]: [[2016 CONCACAF Awards|2016]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Bryan Ruiz and Alex Morgan Named 2016 CONCACAF Players of the Year|url=http://www.concacaf.com/article/bryan-ruiz-and-alex-morgan-named-2016-concacaf-players-of-the-year|website=CONCACAF|access-date=18 January 2017|date=18 January 2017}}</ref>
*[[IFFHS World Team#All-time Men's Dream Team (2021)|IFFHS CONCACAF Men's Team of All Time]]: 2021

==Records==
*Most [[FIFA World Cup]] appearances as captain: 2002–2018<ref>{{cite web|title = Most FIFA World Cup appearances as captain|url = https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/116785-most-football-soccer-fifa-world-cup-finals-as-captain|website = Guinness World Records}}</ref>
*First Player to Captain a Team in Four FIFA World Cups<ref name="NY Times" />
*First Player to Captain a Team in Five FIFA World Cups<ref>{{cite web|title=Rafa Márquez y su amargo retiro del futbol|url=http://www.milenio.com/deportes/futbol/rafael-marquez-se-retiro-de-las-canchas|work=Milenio|date=7 February 2018 |access-date=2 July 2018}}</ref>
*The third most decorated non-Spanish player in [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] history<ref>{{cite web|title = Rafa Márquez: 46 Facts to Celebrate His Birthday|url = https://sportjudge.mx/sport-trends/rafa-marquez-46-facts-to-celebrate-his-birthday-20250213|website = Sport Judge}}</ref>
*Most Decorated North American Player in [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] History
*Most-capped Non-European Player In [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona's]] History
*Eighth-most Capped Foreign [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] Player
*First and Only North American Player Nominated for the [[FIFA World Player of the Year]] Award<ref>{{cite web|title=Rafa Márquez candidato al mejor del año |date=11 October 2007 |url=https://www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/noticia/303552.rafa-marquez-candidato-al-mejor-del-ano.html |publisher=El Siglo de Torreón |language=es |access-date=11 October 2007}}</ref>
*[[List_of_players_who_have_appeared_in_the_most_FIFA_World_Cups#Tournaments|First and Only Defender to Have Played in Five FIFA World Cups]]
*[[List_of_players_who_have_appeared_in_the_most_FIFA_World_Cups#Tournaments|One of Eight Players to Have Played in Five FIFA World Cups]]
*Mexican player with the most [[FIFA World Cup]] matches played: 19<ref>{{cite web|title = Rafa Márquez: 46 Facts to Celebrate His Birthday|url = https://sportjudge.mx/sport-trends/rafa-marquez-46-facts-to-celebrate-his-birthday-20250213|website = Sport Judge}}</ref>
*Most [[UEFA Champions League]] Matches Played by a Mexican Player
*First Mexican Footballer to Win League Titles in Three Countries
*First Mexican Player to win the [[UEFA Champions League]]<ref>{{cite web|title = Rafa Márquez: 46 Facts to Celebrate His Birthday|url = https://sportjudge.mx/sport-trends/rafa-marquez-46-facts-to-celebrate-his-birthday-20250213|website = Sport Judge}}</ref>
*First and Only Mexican Player to win two [[UEFA Champions League]] titles<ref>{{cite web|title = Rafa Márquez: 46 Facts to Celebrate His Birthday|url = https://sportjudge.mx/sport-trends/rafa-marquez-46-facts-to-celebrate-his-birthday-20250213|website = Sport Judge}}</ref>
*First Mexican Player to Score in Three Consecutive World Cups<ref>{{cite news|last=Torres|first=José Antonio |url= https://www.mundodeportivo.com/20140624/futbol/rafael-marquez-iguala-a-cuauhtemoc-blanco-al-marcar-en-tres-mundiales_54410245674.html|title=Rafael Márquez iguala a Cuauhtémoc Blanco al marcar en tres mundiales|date=24 June 2014|access-date=24 June 2014|language=es|work=El Mundo Deportivo}}</ref>
*First Mexican Player to Play in the [[Ligue 1|French League]]
*First and Only Mexican Defender Nominated for the [[Ballon d'Or]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://en.as.com/soccer/how-many-mexican-players-have-been-nominated-for-the-ballon-dor-complete-list-n/ | title=How many Mexican players have been nominated for the Ballon d'Or? Complete list | date=18 October 2022 }}</ref>
*Fourth Most-Capped Player for [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]]
*Second-oldest Player to Appear in a Match in Confederations Cup History<ref>{{cite web|title=Mexico survive scare to edge past New Zealand |date=21 June 2017 |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/fifa-confederations-cup/2017/mexico-v-new-zealand-live_sto6225793/story.shtml |publisher=Eurosport |access-date=21 June 2017}}</ref>
*[[2017_FIFA_Confederations_Cup_squads#By_age|Oldest Player and Captain at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup]]
*Longest winning run in competitive matches: 19 games in [[2005–06 FC Barcelona season|2005–06]] (With [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]])
*Most consecutive away wins: 13 games in [[2008–09 FC Barcelona season|2008–09]] (With [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]])
*Only Spanish football team to ever win six titles in a year and completing [[List of association football teams to have won four or more trophies in one season|the sextuple]] in 2009 (With [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]])
*The team with most points at the end of the second half of the league: 50 points in [[2009–10 La Liga|2009–10]] (With [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]])
*[[El_Clásico#Longest_undefeated_runs_in_the_league|Longest undefeated El Clásico runs in the league]]: 6 wins (With [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]])

==See also==
* [[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.rafamarquez.com.mx}} {{in lang|es}}
* {{Liga MX player|14395|Rafael Márquez Álvarez}}
* {{MedioTiempo|rafael-marquez_1}}
* {{ESPN FC}}
* {{Soccerway}}
* {{NFT}}

{{2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup Team of the Tournament}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Mexico squads
|bg = #016549
|fg = White
|bordercolor =#CE1126
|list1=
{{Mexico squad 1999 Copa América}}
{{Mexico squad 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{Mexico squad 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{Mexico squad 2001 Copa América}}
{{Mexico squad 2002 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Mexico squad 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{Mexico squad 2004 Copa América}}
{{Mexico squad 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{Mexico squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Mexico squad 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{Mexico squad 2007 Copa América}}
{{Mexico squad 2010 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Mexico squad 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{Mexico squad 2014 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Mexico squad 2015 Copa América}}
{{Mexico squad Copa América Centenario}}
{{Mexico squad 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{Mexico squad 2018 FIFA World Cup}}
}}
{{FC Barcelona B managers}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Marquez, Rafael}}
[[Category:1979 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Zamora, Michoacán]]
[[Category:Mexican men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Men's association football central defenders]]
[[Category:Men's association football utility players]]
[[Category:Atlas F.C. footballers]]
[[Category:AS Monaco FC players]]
[[Category:FC Barcelona players]]
[[Category:New York Red Bulls players]]
[[Category:Club León footballers]]
[[Category:Hellas Verona FC players]]
[[Category:Liga MX players]]
[[Category:Ligue 1 players]]
[[Category:La Liga players]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer players]]
[[Category:Designated Players (MLS)]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer All-Stars]]
[[Category:Serie A players]]
[[Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players]]
[[Category:Mexico men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:Mexico men's under-20 international footballers]]
[[Category:Mexico men's international footballers]]
[[Category:1999 Copa América players]]
[[Category:1999 FIFA Confederations Cup players]]
[[Category:2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup players]]
[[Category:2001 Copa América players]]
[[Category:2002 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup players]]
[[Category:2004 Copa América players]]
[[Category:2005 FIFA Confederations Cup players]]
[[Category:2006 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup players]]
[[Category:2007 Copa América players]]
[[Category:2010 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup players]]
[[Category:2014 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2015 Copa América players]]
[[Category:Copa América Centenario players]]
[[Category:2017 FIFA Confederations Cup players]]
[[Category:2018 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:FIFA Confederations Cup–winning players]]
[[Category:CONCACAF Gold Cup–winning players]]
[[Category:FIFA Men's Century Club]]
[[Category:Mexican expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Mexican expatriate sportspeople in Monaco]]
[[Category:Mexican expatriate sportspeople in Spain]]
[[Category:Mexican expatriate sportspeople in Italy]]
[[Category:Mexican expatriate sportspeople in the United States]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Monaco]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy]]
[[Category:People sanctioned under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act]]
[[Category:Association football coaches]]
[[Category:Mexican football managers]]
[[Category:Primera Federación managers]]
[[Category:FC Barcelona Atlètic managers]]
[[Category:Mexican expatriate football managers]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Spain]]