Rafa Márquez came to FC Barcelona in the summer of 2003 from Monaco at the age of 24 to bolster a blaugrana squad in an era of great change under new coach Frank Rijkaard. 

FC Barcelona signed a promising young player who had enjoyed four seasons of great success in the French league with Monaco. The Mexican's first season at the club, 2003/04, came under a new president, Joan Laporta, and a new coach, Frank Rijkaard. Initially used in midfielder, Márquez eventually settled at centre back and in his 242 games for the club he scored 13 goals. In his seven season as a blaugrana he won everything there is to win, forming part of the Pep Guardiola squad that won six trophies in a row. 

In the summer of 2010 Márquez left Barça for the MLS and New York Red Bulls. After three seasons in the US he returned to Mexico with Club León before heading back to Europe and Italian football with Hellas Verona. His playing career came to an end in Mexico at Atlas when he hung up his boots in 2015 at the age of 36. 

Honours with Barça:

• 4 League titles: (2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010)
• 2 Champions Leagues (2006 and 2009)
• 1 Copa del Rey (2009)
• 1 UEFA Super Cup (2009)
• 1 Club World Cup (2009)
• 3 Spanish Super Cups (2005, 2006 and 2009)

Márquez also made 147 appearances for Mexico, scoring 17 goals and playing in five World Cups.