Ex-Barça:The ‘Kaiser of Michoacán’ Rafa Márquez signs for Hellas Verona.
Ex-Barcelona centre-back Rafa Marquez has returned to Europe. While the veteran defender had returned to his homeland of Mexico for Club León, he has opted to return to European football in order to sign with Hellas Verona of the Italian Serie A.
The ‘Kaiser of Michoacán’ will sign a three-year contract with the team that finished eleventh in the Italian top flight last year. The 35-year-old’s transfer means that he will miss the chance to return to the Camp Nou as an opponent, given that Club León will be Barça’s opponent in this year’s edition of the Joan Gamper trophy. Read more…
Rafa Márquez may be 35, but there will always be a place in European football for players of proven quality. The man who formed a crucial part of the squad that won the sextuple in 2009, chose to leave Club León after skippering the club to both the Apertura and the Clausura league titles and sign for Italian outfit Hellas Verona.
Márquez’s move to back to Europe means that the Mexican will not get the chance to face Barça at the Camp Nou with his now former club in the Joan Gamper trophy. Perhaps it is better that things have come out this way, as a potential duel between the Mexican and new Barça signing Jéremy Mathieu has been avoided. Márquez did not hesitate to advocate passionately against the signing of the Frenchman, saying that “he’s not worth 20 million” and that “he does not suit the Barça profile.” Given Mathieu’s outspoken nature, it is not hard to imagine what could have happened between them.
Rafa Márquez may be 35, but there will always be a place in European football for players of proven quality. The man who formed a crucial part of the squad that won the sextuple in 2009, chose to leave Club León after skippering the club to both the Apertura and the Clausura league titles and sign for Italian outfit Hellas Verona.
Márquez’s move to back to Europe means that the Mexican will not get the chance to face Barça at the Camp Nou with his now former club in the Joan Gamper trophy. Perhaps it is better that things have come out this way, as a potential duel between the Mexican and new Barça signing Jéremy Mathieu has been avoided. Márquez did not hesitate to advocate passionately against the signing of the Frenchman, saying that “he’s not worth 20 million” and that “he does not suit the Barça profile.” Given Mathieu’s outspoken nature, it is not hard to imagine what could have happened between them.
Transfer news:Rafa Marquez signs with Serie A side Verona
Rafa Marquez is set to complete a sensational return to Europe, with a statement from Club Leon confirming the 35-year-old will be playing for Hellas Verona in Serie A next season.
“It is the player’s decision to look for new challenges,” read the statement, posted by club president Jesus Martinez on his Twitter account. “We wish him the very best of success in his new club Hellas Verona in the Italian league.”
The statement added that Marquez will always be welcome to return to Leon in the future.
Marquez left Barcelona following World Cup 2010 and endured a difficult spell at New York Red Bulls, before signing for Leon ahead of the Clausura 2013.
He lifted back-to-back Liga MX titles as captain of La Fiera, at a time when many thought his career was coming to an end.
Marquez’s return to form opened the door to a return to the national team when El Tri was struggling in qualifying for Brazil 2014 and he was impressive captaining the side for a fourth consecutive World Cup.
Marquez joined Monaco in Ligue 1 from first Club Atlas in 1999, before signing for Barcelona in 2003 and going on to become one of the most successful exports in the history of Mexican soccer.
Verona finished 11th in Serie A last season, just three points behind Milan and six behind Inter.
Veteran Marquez’s transfer comes as Mexico’s younger international players like Raul Jimenez, Alan Pulido and Marco Fabian are having difficulties forcing moves to Europe, despite all three saying it is their wish.
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The statement added that Marquez will always be welcome to return to Leon in the future.
Marquez left Barcelona following World Cup 2010 and endured a difficult spell at New York Red Bulls, before signing for Leon ahead of the Clausura 2013.
He lifted back-to-back Liga MX titles as captain of La Fiera, at a time when many thought his career was coming to an end.
Marquez’s return to form opened the door to a return to the national team when El Tri was struggling in qualifying for Brazil 2014 and he was impressive captaining the side for a fourth consecutive World Cup.
Marquez joined Monaco in Ligue 1 from first Club Atlas in 1999, before signing for Barcelona in 2003 and going on to become one of the most successful exports in the history of Mexican soccer.
Verona finished 11th in Serie A last season, just three points behind Milan and six behind Inter.
Veteran Marquez’s transfer comes as Mexico’s younger international players like Raul Jimenez, Alan Pulido and Marco Fabian are having difficulties forcing moves to Europe, despite all three saying it is their wish.
