Rafael Márquez goes from El Tri captain to Mexico coach and eyes 2030 World Cup

MEXICO CITY (AP) — As a player, Rafael Márquez was unable to get the Mexican national team past the World Cup quarterfinals. It’s now his goal as coach.

The former Barcelona star was introduced on Thursday as the new coach of the Mexican national team, aiming to qualify the squad for the 2030 World Cup.

“I have another chance, it did not happen for me as a player in five World Cups,” Márquez said. “We arrive at the same spot, now I have the opportunity, first of all to get to the World Cup, hopefully we can get there and achieve something different.”

The 47-year-old Márquez had served under predecessor Javier Aguirre as assistant coach from August 2024 until Mexico’s loss to England in the round of 16 of this summer’s World Cup.

“I have lived an extraordinary career as a player, now I have a bigger responsibility, it is another stage, I want to be on the pitch transmitting everything I can,” Márquez said. “I wish I can be as successful as I was as a player.”

Mexico faces Colombia on Sept. 26 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore in the first of four friendlies in the United States. The other three opponents are: Peru (Sept. 29 in Harrison, N.J.), the U.S. (Oct. 3 in Glendale, Arizona), and Chile (Oct. 6 in Los Angeles).

“There will be difficult and complicated moments, but I am confident that we will pull through,” said the former player. “I will certainly give it my all, and hopefully things work out well.”

A former center back, Márquez steps into the role with one of the most decorated resumes in Mexican soccer history. He was a longtime El Tri captain and played in five World Cups.

Joining Márquez’s staff is 39-year-old Andrés Guardado, a former international teammate across four World Cups (2006–2018) who had been coaching with Real Betis’ youth setup since retiring in 2023.

Márquez also appointed assistant coaches Juan Manuel Lillo and Vidal Paloma, goalkeeper coach Xabier Mancisidor, and physical trainer Pol Lorente. Aside from Guardado (“El Principito”), the rest of the coaching staff is Spanish.

“I’m not starting from scratch — the journey from where I began to where I finished with Javier gives me confidence,” Márquez said. “I already know the players and the environment, and I’m backed by a group of experienced people who have operated at the highest levels — which is exactly what we want: to take the national team to the next level.”

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As a player, he Márquez won the 1999 Confederations Cup, and claimed Gold Cup titles in 2003 and 2011.

In Europe, he played for Monaco before a trophy-laden stint at Barcelona.

Márquez transitioned to coaching in Real Alcalá’s youth ranks before successfully managing Barça Atlètic, Barcelona’s reserve team, where he was in charge for 82 matches over two seasons.

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See AP’s full soccer coverage here