Skip to content

Juan Carlos Osorio grateful he can still rely on Rafael Marquez

Henry Romero / Reuters

At age 37, Rafael Marquez is still playing in Liga MX and representing Mexico, on the verge of becoming only the third player to ever feature in five World Cups. More than two decades have passed since the defensive-minded genius made his debut for El Tri, and, remarkably, he continues to be vital for both Club Atlas and the national team.

None of this goes unnoticed by Juan Carlos Osorio, the Colombian manager at Mexico's helm.

Speaking before Marquez earned his 138th international cap by playing as a liberto in Mexico's 1-0 friendly victory over Iceland, Osorio heaped praise on the timeless footballer.

"It's a source of pride (to work with Marquez) because life has rewarded me by having players at club level at the end of their careers, but I've not seen anyone at the level of Rafael at national-team level," Osorio said, according to ESPN FC's Tom Marshall.

Marquez, who turns 38 on Monday, was summoned to Mexico's starting XI for its friendly against Iceland in Las Vegas, and took the pitch at the rear of El Tri's 3-4-3 formation, starting attacks from a deep position. In the fourth minute, Pancho Villa's Army, a group of supporters who back the national team, paid tribute to the veteran, chanting his name to acknowledge 20 years of service in a green shirt.

In November, Marquez scored an 89th-minute winner as Mexico stunned the United States men's national team with a 2-1 win in 2018 World Cup qualifying. The qualifier took place in Columbus and marked the USMNT's first defeat on home soil since 2001.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox