Barcelona exploring possibility of Rafael Marquez return

David Lynch

• Updated: 24 May 2021 18:10 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona are exploring the possibility of bringing Rafael Marquez back to the club in a youth development role.

According to Goal, recently elected president Joan Laporta is keen to reunite with one of key architects of his incredibly successful first stint at the helm.

Marquez made 242 appearances for Barca after signing from Monaco in the summer of 2003 – the same year Laporta was elected.

During his seven years at Camp Nou, the Mexican won four La Liga titles, two Champions Leagues and the Club World Cup among a string of other honours.

After leaving Barca, he went on to play in the United States, Italy and his native Mexico before retiring.

And he has since held the role of sporting president at his first club Atlas before joining Spanish third tier outfit Alcala as a youth coach.

It is this experience that Laporta is keen to tap into, with Barcelona’s sports vice president Rafael Yuste having already met with Marquez to discuss a possible role.

It is believed the former Mexico international could be handed the reins of the Juvenil A team, the final step between the academy and senior football (either with the first team or Barca B).