History of Rafael Márquez in Timeline

Rafael Márquez Álvarez is a Mexican football coach and former player recognized as one of Mexico's all-time best. Nicknamed 'El Káiser', he excelled as a defender. Currently, he serves as the assistant coach for the Mexico national team.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

February 1979: Rafael Márquez's Birth

Rafael Márquez Álvarez was born in February 1979. He is a Mexican football coach and former player who played as a defender.

Others born on this day/year

October 1996: Debut with Atlas

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

1996: Began career with Atlas

In 1996, Rafael Márquez began his professional career with Atlas, where he played in over 70 games.

February 1997: Debut with Mexico

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

1998: Not chosen for 1998 FIFA World Cup squad

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

1999: Joined Monaco

After playing the 1999 Copa América with Mexico, Rafael Márquez joined French club Monaco for a reported US$6 million and made his debut on August 14 against Bastia.

1999: Other CONCACAF Finalist

As of July 2010, Rafael Márquez was one of two players from CONCACAF to play in a Champions League final, the other being Dwight Yorke for Manchester United in 1999.

1999: Runner-up with Atlas

In 1999, Rafael Márquez and Atlas were runner-up in the league, losing the final against Toluca.

1999: Won FIFA Confederations Cup

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

2000: Lost 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Rafael Márquez and Mexico lost to Canada at the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

2002: Played in 2002 FIFA World Cup

Rafael Márquez played in the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

2002: 2002 World Cup and Red Card

Rafael Márquez started all four of Mexico's games during the 2002 World Cup, where he received a red card during Mexico's second round 2–0 loss to the United States.

September 2003: Signed for Barcelona

In September 2003, Rafael Márquez signed for Spanish club Barcelona and made his debut in La Liga on September 3, 2003 against Sevilla.

2003: Joined Barcelona

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

2003: Won CONCACAF Gold Cup

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

2004: UNAM Consecutive League Titles

In 2013, León became only the second team in history to win consecutive league titles in the short tournament era, the first being UNAM, who won the Clausura 2004 and Apertura 2004.

May 2005: Won La Liga Title

In May 2005, Rafael Márquez won his first La Liga title with Barcelona.

2006: La Liga Conclusion

After the conclusion of 2006-07 La Liga, Rafael Márquez joined up with the Mexico team for the Gold Cup's championship game.

2006: Won Champions League with Barcelona

In 2006, Rafael Márquez became the first Mexican player to win the Champions League with Barcelona's victory over Arsenal.

2006: Played in the 2006 World Cup

In 2006, Rafael Márquez played in all of Mexico's opening round matches at the World Cup in Germany and scored a goal in a 2-1 loss to Argentina.

2006: Won UEFA Champions League Title

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

October 2007: Nomination for FIFA World Player of the Year

In October 2007, Rafael Márquez was included in the list of players nominated for the FIFA World Player of the Year award.

2007: Participated in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup and Copa América

In 2007, Rafael Márquez participated in the CONCACAF Gold Cup championship game against the United States, where Mexico lost 2-1, and also in the Copa América.

December 2008: 200th Match for Barcelona

On December 13, 2008, Rafael Márquez played his 200th match for Barcelona in their 2–0 win against Real Madrid.

April 2009: Knee Injury

In April 2009, Rafael Márquez sustained a knee injury during Barcelona's Champions League semi-final match against Chelsea.

November 2009: 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: First Goal Since Return

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

July 2010: Released from Barcelona

On July 31, 2010, Rafael Márquez was released from his contract by Barcelona after playing in 242 matches and scoring 13 goals.

August 2010: 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 debut against the Chicago Fire. Later, he scored his first goal for the Red Bulls in a match against Toronto FC.

2010: Juventus Interest

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

2010: Joined New York Red Bulls

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

2010: 2010 World Cup

Rafael Márquez captained Mexico at the 2010 World Cup, scoring a goal against South Africa and assisting Javier Hernández against France.

2010: Played in 2010 FIFA World Cup

Rafael Márquez played in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

March 2011: Reached 100 Caps for Mexico

On March 29, 2011, Rafael Márquez became the eighth player in history to reach 100 caps for Mexico in a friendly match against Venezuela.

2011: Won CONCACAF Gold Cup

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

December 2012: Released by New York Red Bulls

In December 2012, Rafael Márquez was released by the New York Red Bulls, and later described playing in the United States as "a bad decision".

2012: Released by New York Red Bulls

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

2012: Contract End Date

Rafael Márquez's contract with Barcelona would have kept him at the club until 2012.

October 2013: First Goal for León

On October 5, 2013, Rafael Márquez scored his first goal for León in the Liga MX against Puebla.

2013: Liga MX Title with León

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

August 2014: Signed with Hellas Verona

In August 2014, Rafael Márquez signed with Hellas Verona of Serie A and made his league debut on August 31.

2014: Back-to-back Liga MX Title with León

In 2014, Rafael Márquez captained León to a second consecutive Liga MX title.

2014: Played in 2014 FIFA World Cup

Rafael Márquez played in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

December 2015: Transferred to Atlas

In December 2015, Rafael Márquez officially transferred to Atlas, marking his return to the club where he debuted.

2015: Transferred to Hellas Verona and Returned to Atlas

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

2017: Champions League Appearances Record Surpassed

By 2017, Javier Hernández surpassed Rafael Márquez's record of 46 UEFA Champions League appearances, the most by a Mexican or CONCACAF player.

April 2018: Retirement from Football

In April 2018, Rafael Márquez announced his retirement from football. He had played for Atlas, Monaco, Barcelona, New York Red Bulls, León, and Hellas Verona during his career.

April 2018: Retirement Announcement

On April 19, 2018, Rafael Márquez announced that he would retire at the end of the season but stated his intention to represent Mexico at the World Cup. His final match was played on April 20.