Two weeks after signing French superstar Thierry Henry, the New York Red Bulls signed Mexican international Rafael Marquez. Marquez, a defensive midfielder, is the third designated player for the Red Bulls along with Juan Pablo Angel and Thierry Henry who are both first rate strikers.
Marquez had been playing in Spain for Barcelona FC most recently, where he was a center back and defensive midfielder. These are also the positions that the Red Bulls will be looking to have him play.
In 1996, Marquez was drafted by Mexican soccer club Atlas at the age of 17. Monaco then signed him in 1999. After impressing at Monaco, he played for the elites of European soccer, Barcelona, for seven years.
Marquez has been the captain for the Mexican national team since 2002 and has appeared for the team 94 times.
In Tuesday’s press conference Marquez said, “I am excited to be joining the Red Bulls.”
“I am completely committed to doing my very best to help the Red Bulls in their playoff push this year and compete for championships in years to come.”
Winning is nothing new to Marquez. He has won several championships in the last decade including the Confederations Cup in 1999, the 2003 Gold Cup, as well as being a part of the treble-winning Barcelona team of 2009–2010.
With Barcelona, he has been part of five championships including four Spanish La Liga titles. In 2006, he won his first UEFA Champions League title beating English Premiership side Arsenal.
No doubt Marquez will be an excellent addition to the already impressive Red Bulls roster. “It’s rather interesting,” Hans Backe, coach of the Red Bulls said. “The reaction of the other players, when he was in, was 10 to 15 percent better quality. From every player, focused on every pass, the movements. … It was a bit ridiculous to see how one player can change the quality of one session.”
There is a good chance Marquez will make his first appearance for the Red Bulls on Sunday night in Chicago at Toyota Park against the Fire.
“I want to play as soon as possible,” said Marquez. “If there’s a chance to play against Chicago I will.”
With the Red Bulls having signed another superstar, it will raise the profile of MLS on the international stage. The New York Red Bulls organization is committed to building a winner.
Marquez had been playing in Spain for Barcelona FC most recently, where he was a center back and defensive midfielder. These are also the positions that the Red Bulls will be looking to have him play.
In 1996, Marquez was drafted by Mexican soccer club Atlas at the age of 17. Monaco then signed him in 1999. After impressing at Monaco, he played for the elites of European soccer, Barcelona, for seven years.
Marquez has been the captain for the Mexican national team since 2002 and has appeared for the team 94 times.
In Tuesday’s press conference Marquez said, “I am excited to be joining the Red Bulls.”
“I am completely committed to doing my very best to help the Red Bulls in their playoff push this year and compete for championships in years to come.”
Winning is nothing new to Marquez. He has won several championships in the last decade including the Confederations Cup in 1999, the 2003 Gold Cup, as well as being a part of the treble-winning Barcelona team of 2009–2010.
With Barcelona, he has been part of five championships including four Spanish La Liga titles. In 2006, he won his first UEFA Champions League title beating English Premiership side Arsenal.
No doubt Marquez will be an excellent addition to the already impressive Red Bulls roster. “It’s rather interesting,” Hans Backe, coach of the Red Bulls said. “The reaction of the other players, when he was in, was 10 to 15 percent better quality. From every player, focused on every pass, the movements. … It was a bit ridiculous to see how one player can change the quality of one session.”
There is a good chance Marquez will make his first appearance for the Red Bulls on Sunday night in Chicago at Toyota Park against the Fire.
“I want to play as soon as possible,” said Marquez. “If there’s a chance to play against Chicago I will.”
With the Red Bulls having signed another superstar, it will raise the profile of MLS on the international stage. The New York Red Bulls organization is committed to building a winner.
