Rafael Marquez set to return to Barcelona

A few weeks ago, the former Mexican international said he will be returning to Barcelona this summer in a coaching role within the youth academy.

Rafael Máquez is regarded as one of the greatest Mexican footballers of all-time and he left a legacy at FC Barcelona during his seven years at Camp Nou. The former international became the first Mexican player to win the Champions League after Barça beat Arsenal in the final. He left Camp Nou in 2010 and he could return this summer.

Márquez meets with Barcelona bosses

Now he is closing in on a return to Camp Nou to take on a coaching role in the youth academy. According to La Sexta, recently-appointed president Joan Laporta, is set to meet with him on Tuesday to discuss the job. The idea is that Márquez, who already has his coaching license, takes charge of the Under-19s.

“There is a good relationship with Joan Laporta. The reason why I supported him in his candidacy was because of that good friendship. Barcelona believed in me when they signed me in 2003 and there is a very good relationship. After he won Barcelona’s elections, I was invited to return to the youth system,” he said.

Life after retirement

In 2015, Márquez returned to Liga MX side Atlas, the club where he started his career in 1996, and three years later he announced his retirement. Following his retirement, he was given the sporting director job at Atlas and he held that position until May 2019. After he got his license, Márquez was in charge of the Under-16 team at Real Sociedad Deportiva Alcalá, a third division club in Spain.