Rafael Márquez

[Barcafan 2304]

it is sad! All the best

 

[Plip]

Sexy Maxi and Rafa = EPIC.

 

[JAMAIN]

" Of all the titles that I have won, I prefer the Champions League won in Paris. But above all, the friends I made here and the love this institution gave me will stay with me. I will be a culé until death."
The former Monaco centre-back also explained his decision to leave.

"I spoke with [Barcelona coach Pep] Guardiola and he gave me the opportunity to choose. I feel that here I have finished a stage.

"I could have stayed here quietly here with my salary, but I have a character - I am ambitious and I want to play. This is the right time to leave."


Class act.

I will always remember the first year he came. We had not won anything in like 5 years and judging by Rijkaards first few games in charge it did not look like it was going to get better. We use to leak goals like a hostel faucet and the only defender who either wasn't passed it or felt enough to care was Puyol. It's a deby game away against Espanyol at the Estadi Olímpic and with like 10 minutes in, Espanyol score and go up 1-0. I sink back in my chair and go "shit~". Than Marquez flashes across my TV screen as the camera follows Tamundo's celebration, clapping his hands with enthusiasm! He is hooping and hollering telling the boys to shake it off and go again. Literally you could see Puyol smile. In that moment any Cule' could see we had a 'winner' in Marquez.

He leaves us a winner too. Check out his medal draw. Through the up's and downs he leaves a champion.

 

[El Mesías]

Even Marquez tread got moved here. Where's Yaya?

 

[iced1776]

Welcome to NY Rafa! It will be amazing to see him and Henry in person, I can't say I'm disappointed that he's leaving Barca.

 

[shann]

One my my fave. goal of Rafa's. Best of luck in NY, King Mexicano!

 

[JAMAIN]

yeah, he would give you one or two goals a year too...those are going to be missed...

 

[samg85]

While I was reading this forum and his words, the "Yesterday" by the Beatles came on TV.

Anyway, incredible guy. Amazing talent and what a legend. He's a very technical player, but his speed and quickness that he once had is gone and all good things must come to an end. His job was a difficult one as he needed not only to defend, but to start distributing from the back. Not many people can do this, not Puyol, not Milito, or others, but Pique picked it up quick, because he is a talented guy. Will always be remembered(and one of my favourite players. It's too bad that he missed many games a few years back due to injury, he could have been 3rd, 4th or 5th in most games played by a foreign player. Hope he finds a good club to play in a showcase his talents. What else? oh yeah, 12 trophies, the first Mexican to play for the club in first team, and some other stuff. Anyway, good luck Kaiser.

 

[Barcafan 2304]

He does really strike you that he will indeed be a Cule forever and that he loves the club. Class

 

[ranjix]

It was nice to hear that he will be cule forever.

 

[iced1776]

Apparently now he is hesitating in joining NY because there is interest from another club, anybody know who else is going for him?

 

[ranjix]

Haven't heard anything like that. Yes, I heard interest from some other clubs before he left as free agent. But I forgot name of those clubs ...

 

[iced1776]

Nevermind, just got the news that he's officially signed for New York

 

[Metaphysical]

legend.

my favourite marquez gol, for its significance to el triplet.

and this sexy sexy cross lives long in the memory.

as does his shackling of drogba in the second leg of that tie.

adéu rafa.

moltes graces.

 

[Cal-FCB]

A fantastic servant of FCB. A brilliant spell at the club and he really was oustanding for us. Classy player and a classy guy. I wish him all the best in NY, and I'm sure he'll do very well for himself.