The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) confirmed former Barcelona defender, Rafael Márquez, as the new coach heading into the 2030 World Cup, in which Mexico will try to be the protagonist.
In a statement circulated to the media, 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 the “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 in 5 World Cups; As a defender he was a leader of the national team, with which he won the 1999 Confederations Cup and twice the Gold Cup.
Trained in the Atlas of Mexico, with Monaco he won Ligue 1 in France in the 1999-2000 season, after which he was part of Barcelona, with which he won two European Champions League titles, four Leagues, a 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 the Hellas Verona of the Italian Serie A, before returning to Mexico with the León and with the Rojinegros del Atlas that formed him, with which he retired.
As a coach, he started in the training categories of Real Alcalá and was at Barça Atlètic, before 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,” ‘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 coached 37 games, with 22 wins, 9 draws and 6 losses; 59 goals for and 28 against. Under his direction, Mexico won the Concacaf Nations League and the Gold Cup last year.
