The Mexican Soccer Federation (FMF) announced on Wednesday that former Barcelona defender Rafael Márquez has been named the new head coach ahead of the 2030 World Cup, where Mexico will aim to be a major contender.
In a statement, the organization made official an agreement reached on August 1, 2024, when it announced Javier “Vasco” Aguirre as head coach through the 2026 World Cup—a tournament 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 FMF’s institutional vision to ensure continuity in the work of the last World Cup cycle and to strengthen the sporting development of Mexico’s national team,” the statement explains.
He takes on the biggest challenge as head coach of El Tri
Márquez, one of the top three Mexican soccer players in history, played in five World Cups.
As a defender, he was a leader on the national team, with which he won the 1999 Confederations Cup and two Gold Cups.
He began his career with Atlas in Mexico, and went on to win France’s Ligue 1 with Monaco during the 1999-2000 season.
He then went on to play for Barcelona in LaLiga, with whom he won two UEFA Champions League titles, four Spanish League titles, one Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, one Copa del Rey, and three Spanish Super Cups.
In addition, the defender played for the New York Red Bulls of MLS and Hellas Verona of Italy’s Serie A.
Before returning to Mexico with León and the Rojinegros, the team that developed him and with which he retired (Filed under: Rafa Márquez coaches Mexico).
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As a coach, he started out in the youth ranks at Real Alcalá and later coached at Barça Atlètic.
Before joining Javier Aguirre’s staff as an assistant coach in the run-up to the World Cup.
“He is a well-prepared coach and has a large number of talented young players at his disposal.”
“I hope he does even better than I did,” said “El Vasco” Aguirre last Sunday, taking it for granted that Rafael Márquez would be his replacement, as had been agreed.
The Federation recognized Aguirre for his commitment, leadership, and professionalism.
And for the “legacy of hard work, identity, and competitiveness that strengthens the foundation for the next phase of the national team.”
During his third stint as head coach, Aguirre led the team in 37 matches, with 22 wins, nine draws, and six losses; the team scored 59 goals and allowed 28.
Under his leadership, Mexico won the CONCACAF Nations League and the Gold Cup last year (Filed under: Rafa Márquez coaches Mexico).
With information from EFE
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