Rafael Márquez Álvarez

Rafael Márquez Álvarez, born on 13 February 1979 in Zamora Michoacan. He made his debut with the club in the tournament Atlas winter for summer 96 and 97, and was a permanent fixture. Years later, he played his first final at the maximum circuit Mexican soccer against Club Toluca in the summer 99. Atlas had a painful defeat and failed to get the championship. What Rafa did not know was that fate was preparing something much bigger, much more interesting, much more challenging.

Bora Milutinovic it debuted in the national team in early 1997, in a match against Ecuador in the Azteca Stadium. In 1999, when it was coach Manuel Lapuente, started every game of the Copa America. It was precisely there, where Marquez was released, in which the Club Monaco in the French league participant, decided to buy it.

His adaptation in France was immediate. He soon became the leader of the defense monaguesca and helped the team was crowned in the season 1999-2000. At the beginning of the season 2003 - 2004, Rafa Marquez had already been purchased by the Club Barcelona, where soon after (year 2004-2005), won the Spanish league title. His years in the Catalan team will be glorious. He won the title four times in the League of Spain, three times the Supercopa of Spain, twice Champions League UEFA Cup once King.

For Korea World Cup - Japan 2002, at 23, besides being an icon of national football, and was the team captain. Later also play tops Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010. Rafa has won the Confederations Cup in Mexico in 1999 and two Gold Cups in 2003 and 2011.

After leaving the F.C. Barcelona had several offers from European teams such as Juventus, Fiorentina, those of Italy, but eventually signed a contract with the club New York Red Bulls U.S. playing two years with that institution. After 13 years playing abroad, Rafa decided to return to Mexico with Club León as reinforcement team facing the Clausura 2013 and 2013 and the Copa Libertadores play the 2013 Confederations Cup with the Mexican.

He has a foundation that was created in July 2005, after a fundraising event called "Rafa Marquez Soccer Clinics".

In Rafa Marquez Foundation promote the comprehensive development of children from marginalized communities in different communities in the country, in order to help improve their quality of life always working to have equal opportunities and away from social vices such as alcoholism, drug abuse, child prostitution, abuse, etc..

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