The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) announced this Wednesday to the former Barcelona defender Rafael Márquez as new coach heading to the 2030 World Cupin which Mexico will try to be the protagonist.
In a statement, the organization made official something agreed since August 1, 2024, when it presented Javier ‘Vasco’ Aguirre as coach until the 2026 World Cup, in which El Tri was eliminated in the round of 16.
“The appointment of Rafael Márquez is part of an orderly transition planned within the institutional vision of the FMF to continue the work of the last World Cup cycle, strengthen the sporting development of the Mexican national team,” the note explains.
Márquez, one of the three best Mexican soccer players in history, played five world cups; As a defender he was a leader of the national team, with whom won the 1999 Confederations Cup and the Gold Cup twice.
Trained in the Mexican Atlas, with Monaco he won the French Ligue 1 in the 1999-2000 season, after which He was part of Barcelona of LaLiga, with which won two UEFA Champions League titles, four Spanish Leaguesa Club World Cup, a European Super Cup, a Copa del Rey and three Spanish Super Cups.
In addition, the defender wore the shirts of the New York Red Bulls of the MLS and Hellas Verona of Italian Serie Abefore returning to Mexico with León and with the Rojinegros that formed it, with whom he retired.
As a coach, started in the training categories of Real Alcalá and was in the Barsa Atlèticbefore joining as technical assistant to Javier Aguirre in the process towards the World Cup.
“He is a well-prepared coach and has a large number of talented young people at his disposal; I hope he surpasses what I did,” ‘El Vasco’ Aguirre said last Sunday, assuming that Márquez would be his replacement, as had been agreed.
The Federation recognized Aguirre for his commitment, leadership and professionalism and for the “legacy of work, identity and competitiveness that strengthens the foundations for the next stage of the national representative.”
In his third stage as coach, Aguirre directed 37 games, with 22 wins, nine draws and six losses; 59 goals for and 28 against.
Under your directionLast year, Mexico won the Concacaf Nations League and the Gold Cup.