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The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) made official the appointment of Rafael Márquez as the new head coach of the Mexican National Team, marking the start of a new stage towards the 2030 World Cup following the departure of Javier Aguirre. The legendary former defender of the Tri takes on the position after being part of the national coaching staff and establishing himself as one of the most important footballers in Mexico's history. Who is he, how old is he, who is his wife, and how many Champions League titles did he win? We tell you everything you need to know about the coach of the Tricolor.
Following the historic participation of the Mexican National Team in the 2026 World Cup, the FMF turned to a new coach who will provide continuity to the work already done by Aguirre in recent years, which culminated in an outstanding performance by the national team in the championship.
Rafa Márquez will be in charge of continuing to prepare the team and strengthening the National Team ahead of the next 2030 World Cup, which will be held in six different countries across three continents (the main hosts will be Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, while, to commemorate the centenary of the first World Cup, opening matches will be played in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay).
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¿Quién es Rafa Márquez?
Rafael Márquez Álvarez was born on February 13, 1979, in Zamora, Michoacán, making him 47 years old. Considered one of the best Mexican footballers of all time, he debuted professionally with Atlas before making the leap to European football, where he defended the colors of AS Monaco, Barcelona, and Hellas Verona. He also played for the New York Red Bulls and León, and returned to Atlas to close out his career as a player.
Additionally, he played in five World Cups with the Mexican National Team, a historic mark that made him one of the greatest icons of national football.
¿Cuántas Champions League ganó Rafa Márquez?
One of Rafa Márquez's greatest achievements came with Barcelona. The Mexican won two UEFA Champions League titles during his time with the Catalan side:
- Temporada 2005-2006
- Temporada 2008-2009.
He also hoisted four LaLiga titles, one Copa del Rey, three Supercopas de España, one UEFA Super Cup, and a Club World Cup, becoming one of the most successful Mexican footballers in history.
¿Quién es la esposa de Rafa Márquez?
Rafa Márquez is married to the model and businesswoman Jaydy Michel, a recognized figure in Mexican show business and the ex-partner of Alejandro Sanz. The couple married in 2011 and have since shared various family moments on social media.
Before his relationship with Michel, Márquez was married to actress Adriana Lavat, with whom he had two children and from whom he separated in a high-profile divorce in which the former footballer was accused of infidelity.
¿Cómo fue su carrera como entrenador?
After retiring as a professional footballer, Rafa Márquez began his preparation as a coach in Spain. Later, he managed Barça Atlètic, the reserve team of FC Barcelona, where he worked with several of the Catalan club's top prospects.
In 2024, he joined Javier Aguirre's coaching staff for the Mexican National Team as part of a project designed to provide continuity to the process leading up to the 2030 World Cup.
¿Por qué eligieron a Rafa Márquez como técnico del Tri?
The Mexican Federation explained that his appointment is part of the 2030 Sports Project, which has been in place since 2024. His experience as captain of the Mexican National Team, his training in Europe, and his time on the bench at Barcelona Atlètic were decisive factors in entrusting him with the new project.
¿Qué retos tendrá con la Selección Mexicana?
Rafa Márquez will lead the process towards the 2030 World Cup with the goal of consolidating a new generation of footballers. Among his main challenges are:
-Maintaining the growth shown by the Tri in the 2026 World Cup.
-Integrating young talents such as Gilberto Mora and Mateo Chávez.
-Competing for the Gold Cup title.
-Preparing the team for the 2030 World Cup.
[Publicidad]