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Marquez follows Henry to New York
Following seven successful seasons at Barcelona including four La Liga titles and two Champions League triumphs, Rafael Márquez becomes the latest established star to make the move across the Atlantic. In an attempt to advance an already illustrious career, he has followed in the footsteps of ex-Camp Nou colleague Thierry Henry in signing for the New York Red Bulls.
Major League Soccer’s ability to capture players of the Mexican’s calibre reflects the league’s growing ambition as well as the sizeable strides it has made in a short space of time. Prior to David Beckham’s groundbreaking move to Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007, a transfer to the United States would have been given little consideration by Europe’s top performers. However having seen a clutch of household names take the plunge thereafter, the fledgling division is becoming an ever more appealing option for these players. Márquez’s decision to reject offers from more prestigious suitors in favour of becoming the Red Bull’s third and final ‘designated player’ provides further evidence of this trend.
A defender by trade, during his time at the Catalan giants the former Monaco man demonstrated his versatility by playing in a deeper midfield role on a regular basis. The New York outfit’s Head Coach, Hans Backe, has made it clear that he also intends to deploy his new acquisition in this more influential position. With supreme technique and a broad passing repertoire, this elegant conductor could flourish in a diamond system where he would have an opportunity to dictate the tempo. Coupled with his anticipation and precision in the tackle, the anchorman has the ability to provide protection for the team’s defence as well as orchestrating attacks. Furthermore, whereas recent exports such as Freddie Ljungberg were in the twilight of their career upon arrival, the 31-year-old is arguably still capable of producing his best form. The hunger to achieve was apparent in his first press conference on Tuesday: “I believe in the project that Red Bull has started,” stated the new No 4. “It’s a project that is growing, and I think it will be the best team in MLS.” A player who has won everything in Europe comes to America in search of fresh challenges, not merely to wind down.
As well as offering as much on-field acumen as any of the league’s other marquee signings, the man from Zamora provides a unique marketability. Having appeared in his country’s last three World Cup outings and captained El Tri for the majority of his 94 caps, Márquez is regarded as a national icon. As Mexican football’s flag-bearer and most celebrated player since Hugo Sánchez, the MLS will hope to use him as a tool to tap into the vast Hispanic community in the States. Known as ‘El Kaiser de Michoacán’ in his homeland, owing to a perceived similarity in playing styles, Márquez will hope that his spell in the Big Apple leaves more of a legacy than Franz Beckenbauer’s in the league’s ill-fated, original incarnation, the NASL.
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