Career Timeline of Rafael Márquez: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Rafael Márquez, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Rafael Márquez Álvarez is a Mexican football coach and former player, widely regarded as Mexico's best defender and one of its greatest players ever. Nicknamed 'El Káiser,' he currently serves as the assistant coach for the Mexico national team. His career highlights his significance in Mexican football history.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

October 1996: Márquez Debut with Atlas

In October 1996, Rafael Márquez made his professional debut with Atlas at the age of 17.

1996: Rafael Márquez began his career with Atlas

In 1996, Rafael Márquez started his professional career with Atlas, where he played in over 70 games for the club.

February 1997: Márquez Debuted with Mexico

On 5 February 1997, Rafael Márquez made his debut with Mexico in a friendly match against Ecuador.

1998: Márquez was not chosen for the 1998 FIFA World Cup squad

Rafael Márquez was not chosen for the 1998 FIFA World Cup squad

1999: Márquez Joined Monaco

After playing the 1999 Copa América with Mexico, Rafael Márquez joined French club Monaco for a reported US$6 million.

1999: Atlas Runner-Up in the League

In 1999, Rafael Márquez and Atlas were runner-up in the league, losing the final against Toluca on penalties during the Verano 1999 tournament.

1999: Márquez won the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup

In 1999, Rafael Márquez won the FIFA Confederations Cup with Mexico

2000: Márquez lost to Canada at the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup

In 2000, Rafael Márquez lost to Canada at the CONCACAF Gold Cup

2002: Márquez Played in the 2002 World Cup

In 2002, Rafael Márquez started all four of Mexico's games during the World Cup and received a red card during Mexico's second round loss to the United States.

September 2003: Márquez Debuted for Barcelona

In September 2003, Rafael Márquez made his debut in La Liga for Spanish club Barcelona against Sevilla, with the match ending in a 1–1 draw.

2003: Márquez Joined Barcelona

In 2003, Rafael Márquez joined Barcelona, becoming the first Mexican player to represent the club.

2003: Márquez won the CONCACAF Gold Cup

In 2003, Rafael Márquez won the CONCACAF Gold Cup with the Mexico national team.

May 2005: Barcelona Won La Liga Title

On 14 May 2005, Barcelona, with Rafael Márquez, won its 17th league title after a 1–1 tie with Levante.

2006: Barcelona Won UEFA Champions League

In 2006, Rafael Márquez and Barcelona won the UEFA Champions League after defeating Arsenal 2–1 in the final. Márquez became the first Mexican to play in and win a Champions League final.

2006: Márquez won Champions League with Barcelona

In 2006, Rafael Márquez became the first Mexican player to win the Champions League when Barcelona defeated Arsenal in the final.

2006: Márquez joined Mexico for the Gold Cup's championship game after conclusion of 2006-07 La Liga

In 2006, Rafael Márquez joined Mexico for the Gold Cup's championship game after conclusion of 2006-07 La Liga.

2006: Márquez Participated in the 2006 World Cup

In 2006, Rafael Márquez participated in the World Cup in Germany and scored the lone Mexican goal in a loss to Argentina.

2006: Márquez played in the 2006 FIFA World Cup

Rafael Márquez played in the 2006 FIFA World Cup tournament.

2007: Márquez participated in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2007 Copa América

In 2007, Rafael Márquez participated in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and the Copa América. He 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.

November 2009: Márquez Signed New Contract with Barcelona

In November 2009, Rafael Márquez signed a new contract with Barcelona that would keep him at the club until 2012.

February 2010: Márquez Scored First Goal Since Return

On 20 February 2010, Rafael Márquez scored his first goal since his return against Racing Santander.

July 2010: Márquez Released by Barcelona

On 31 July 2010, Rafael Márquez was released from his contract by Barcelona.

August 2010: Márquez Signed with New York Red Bulls

In August 2010, Rafael Márquez signed with the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer and made his MLS debut against the Chicago Fire. He also scored his first goal for the Red Bulls against Toronto FC.

2010: Juventus interested in signing Márquez

After participating at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, it was reported that Italian club Juventus were interested in signing Rafael Márquez.

2010: Márquez Captained Mexico at the 2010 World Cup

In 2010, Rafael Márquez captained Mexico at the World Cup, scoring Mexico's goal in the opening match against South Africa. He also assisted Javier Hernández in Mexico's first goal in the win against France.

2010: Márquez Joined New York Red Bulls

In 2010, Rafael Márquez joined Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls.

2010: Márquez played in the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Rafael Márquez played in the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament.

2011: Márquez won the CONCACAF Gold Cup

In 2011, Rafael Márquez won the CONCACAF Gold Cup with the Mexico national team.

December 2012: New York Released Márquez

On December 13, 2012, New York released Rafael Márquez. His time in New York was criticized, and Márquez later called going to play in the United States "a bad decision."

2012: Márquez Released by New York Red Bulls

In 2012, Rafael Márquez was released from New York Red Bulls.

2012: Contracted with Barcelona until 2012

Rafael Márquez contracted with Barcelona until 2012

October 2013: Márquez Scored First Goal for León

In October 2013, Rafael Márquez scored his first goal for León in the Liga MX against Puebla, scoring a penalty kick in the 17th minute.

2013: León captured the Apertura 2013 title

In 2013, León captured the Apertura 2013 title after defeating América 5–1 on aggregate, Rafael Márquez lifted his first league title in Mexico.

2013: Márquez Won Liga MX Title with León

In 2013, Rafael Márquez captained León to a Liga MX title.

August 2014: Hellas Verona Signed Márquez

In August 2014, Hellas Verona of Serie A signed Rafael Márquez. He made his league debut on August 31, starting as Verona played out a goalless draw against Atalanta.

2014: Márquez Won Back-to-Back Liga MX Titles

In 2014, Rafael Márquez captained León to back-to-back Liga MX titles.

2014: Márquez played in the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Rafael Márquez played in the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament.

December 2015: Márquez Transferred to Atlas

On 21 December 2015, Rafael Márquez officially transferred to Atlas, returning to the club he debuted with.

2015: Márquez Transferred to Hellas Verona and Returned to Atlas

In 2015, Rafael Márquez transferred to Hellas Verona of the Italian Serie A and then returned to his boyhood club, Atlas.

October 2017: Helped found Asociación Mexicana de Futbolistas

In October 2017, Rafael Márquez helped found Asociación Mexicana de Futbolistas (Mexican Footballers Association).

June 2018: Named in Mexico's World Cup squad

On 4 June 2018, Rafael Márquez was named in Mexico's final 23-man squad for the World Cup, marking his fifth appearance in the tournament. He became the fourth player in history to achieve this feat, alongside Lothar Matthäus, Gianluigi Buffon, and Antonio Carbajal. He played in the match against Germany and became the third person to play at a fifth World Cup.

May 2019: Departure as Atlas' sporting president

In May 2019, Rafael Márquez departed from his position as Atlas' sporting president, succeeding Fabricio Bassa.

April 2020: Appointed as a youth coach at Alcalá

On 8 April 2020, Rafael Márquez was appointed as a youth coach at Alcalá, taking care of the Cadete A (under 15) squad for the 2020–21 season.

October 2021: Joined TUDN network

In October 2021, Rafael Márquez joined the TUDN network as an analyst and commentator for national team games.

July 2022: Appointed Head Coach of Barcelona Atlètic

On 14 July 2022, Rafael Márquez was appointed head coach of Barcelona Atlètic, signing a two-year contract.

June 2023: Extension with Barcelona Atlètic

On 14 June 2023, it was announced that Rafael Márquez would continue as head coach with Barcelona Atlètic, signing an extension.

July 2024: Departure from Barcelona Atlètic

On 21 July 2024, Barcelona Atlètic announced Rafael's departure of the club.

July 2024: Appointed assistant coach of the Mexico national team

On 22 July 2024, the Mexican Football Federation announced Rafael Márquez to be the assistant coach of the Mexico national football team led by Javier Aguirre.