Champions League: Marquez achieves a new first
(Soccer365.com) - Rafael Marquez continues to climb new heights in Europe.
Mexican defenseman, Rafael Marquez has once more gone where no Mexican player has gone before: A European Championship.
Without fully digesting the victory which made him a European champion with Barcelona, Marquez said his title would have a special dedication to his to his family, for this was an important accomplishment in his career.
“I dedicate this to my parents, my children, to my father who is up there,” said Marquez. “I still don’t believe it, something I didn’t imagine, thanks to this team and this institution who gave me the opportunity and now I’ve gotten something important.”
Moreover, the Mexican national stated that with the Champions League victory, Barcelona is the best team on the planet. “I think yes, Barcelona’s the best team. We’ve worked hard for it and truth is we have confirmed it.”
Though he has not gotten the five Spanish championships, the five scoring titles and a UEFA Cup, Marquez did something the best Mexican player of all time never did: win the Champions League title.
The Zamora, Michoacán native denied that his Champions League victory put him above Hugo Sanchez, who shined for many years with Barça nemesis, Real Madrid. “No, I think that each us have done our own, our jobs, our eras, they were different situations. He’ll be acknowledged for what he did and I will be for what I do.”
Like Sanchez, however, Marquez is mirroring the ‘penta pichichi in some areas:
In 1986 Hugo helped Real Madrid win the Spanish League and then was the first Mexican to play in a European tournament, the UEFA Cup, which the merengues won 5-3 over Kholn; from there he went on to play in his second World Cup.
In 2006, Marquez helped Barcelona win their 18th La Liga title, then went on to become the first Mexican to reach a Champions League final, then the first to win it as they beat Arsenal 2-1; and next month he’ll play his second World Cup.
Rafa added that he was not certain when he would join the Mexican national team for their World Cup preparations, only that he would rest a few days. About his health, he said he is fine, as he is constantly seeing doctors.
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Comments
IM SO DELIGHTED THAT SOMEONE LIKE MARQUEZ IS TAKING MEXICO SOMEWHERE. ITS ABOUT TIME THAT A MEXICAN GETS RECOGNIZED FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
Posted by: MIGUEL BALDERAS | May 18, 2006 11:49 AM
I still say that Real Madrid will always be the best team on the planet.
Posted by: Alex Mendoza | May 19, 2006 10:50 AM
hopefully there will be more like him from the mexican league that will have a fair chance of succeeding like he has. there is a lot of talent on both sides of the border.
Posted by: marco sotelo | May 20, 2006 04:19 PM
real madrid is not the best team on the planet. they have some of the best players on the planet but they are not the best team.
Posted by: matt | May 20, 2006 08:34 PM
I would like to take this opportunity to completely correct, and maybe even educate Miguel Balderas. Real Madrid, if I am not mistaken (and please correct me if I'm wrong), have not won a single trophy since their La Liga victory in 2003. I mean i dont know about you Miguel, but to me, the "greatest team on the planet" doesn't go 3 years without winning a single trophy. What i can agree with is that yes, they have future legends but have u seen their stability? or wait...should i say INSTABILITY. well Miguel, i really hope you read this, but if you dont, i'll understand. Real Madrid Suck.
Posted by: Charlie Ramirez | May 21, 2006 08:29 PM
wats a rafa marquez he a nobody... Real madrid rules
Posted by: Anonymous | May 21, 2006 09:36 PM
Viva mexico Campeon del Mundo
Posted by: Josinho | May 22, 2006 02:21 PM
Rafa marquez is one of the best defence in the world and hopefully he can help mexico win a World cup.For me he is one of the best defence in the planet.
Posted by: Carlos Aguilera | May 22, 2006 05:06 PM
Rafa Marquez is one of the best defenders in the world.Hopefully he can help Mexico win a world cup
Posted by: Carlos Aguilera | May 22, 2006 05:27 PM
well for some rafa is an idol, well his talent and courage have taken him to upper levels in the liga espanola on which my opinion is the best in the world... real madrid has the players but not the team, yet, beckham came and messed up things for madrid... after ronaldo arrived he did good things on the team, vise versa, ronaldinho made the team and took it to the next level because his not like beckham a conscieded player, instead ronny enjoys playing soccer and make the best for it
Posted by: its is true | May 22, 2006 07:43 PM
Rafa Marquez is the greatest def. and is every strikers nightmere to habve to beat i hope we see more of this.
Posted by: ********** | June 4, 2006 03:18 PM
Elegant and smart! If soccer/futbol is the "jugo bonita" then Rafa is "el hombre bonita".
Posted by: Karen | June 22, 2006 07:33 AM
matt, i completely agree you should post more messages in other blogs because im tierd of people posting false things that will or are not possible
Posted by: sss | August 7, 2006 07:52 AM
Why does this have to be the ONLY reliable suocre? Oh well, gj!
Posted by: Jacklynn | February 14, 2012 08:01 AM