FCBARCELONA.CAT

15.11.2009 10:29

Márquez: "I want to leave track in the Barça"

Sandra Sarmiento

Rafael Márquez has revealed that FC Barcelona has become his club after spending seven seasons at Camp Nou and playing 227 games to see him move into tenth place on the all-time appearance chart for foreign players.

In an interview with www.fcbarcelona.cat the Mexican international explained his feelings for the Blaugrana and gave his thoughts on his time at the club.

You are now in the top ten list of appearances made by foreign players. What does that mean to you?

"It makes me proud to be among the top ten. It has not been easy for me to reach that figure. It has been down to a lot of hard work. But it now gives me great pleasure and satisfaction. I have made a great effort to be able to play in so many games."

You have overtaken Michael Laudrup and are now eight games away from Rivaldo, both star players. Will you be remembered in the same way?

"I hope so. Of course I want to be remembered. I have not worked in vain all the years that I have been here. We have won some major trophies and I hope I will be thought of with affection. It is the same way that I feel about Barcelona, the team, the city and the people."

Philip Cocu made 292 appearances and you have 227. Do you think you can reach that figure in the next two seasons?

"I do not see why not. You have to think you can. I would like to stay here a long time. I am waiting to see how things go and I hope I can reach that number of games."

You said recently that a new deal was almost settled. Is there any news?

"We are close. It is a question of finding a date to finalise it."

After seven seasons at Camp Nou is Barça the club of your life?

"Yes, of course. It is where I have spent most time. In Mexico I did not spend this long at any club, nor at Monaco. Here is where I have spent the most time in my life and where I feel at home and I do not want to change. I am very happy here."

Looking back, how have you improved as a player since joining Barça in 2003 and what more can you improve upon?

"I have improved my ability to remain calm, to bear pressure and in maintaining my own style of play. What more can I improve upon? Not to be so trusting on certain occasions and to maybe retain some tension. But I think I have learnt more than I am lacking."

You have had two coaches at Barça. How did Frank Rijkaard stand out?

"With his simplicity. In the way that he saw football. The tranquility that he put across. To know he was there. With his presence alone he won respect. I learn to have the same calmness he has."

Pep Guardiola was a key person in the treble win?

"He gave me complete confidence to stay here. Thanks to him I stepped up a level. I felt more confident and had more responsibility in the team and fortunately everything went well. Thanks to the attitude, the mentality and the style of play we have he has helped me to maintain my level."

Unfortunately you have suffered several injuries. Is there a way of avoiding them?

"Even when I was in Mexico I picked up muscle injuries a lot. I do not know if it is my build, but I always work hard to prevent them. Last year I suffered two minor injuries and then had the problem with the knee. Sadly, that is the way that I am built. I try everything I can, but at times the body decides. I cannot control that."

Two years ago you suffered the same injury that Cristiano Ronaldo now has. How come he is taking so long to recover from it?

"It is not simple because it is bruising inside the bone and curing it is difficult. It takes time to recover from that. That was what happened with me. I took all the measures possible to play, but it was impossible. Partly because it was in the foot with which I kick most and that meant that even training was not possible. Walking hurt too at times. I think people understand what it is like and that they recognise it is not easy."

After spending quite some time out has your return to action been difficult?

"Maybe a bit because I am not yet 100 per cent. I know that my team-mates are on a different level and I have to work hard to be able to move up to that. It is no excuse for what has happened in these past few games. I take responsibility like always. I will try to improve and to move up a level."

Do you feel you are a step behind your team-mates?

"Physically, yes. These days I am working on specific fitness programme. I am feeling stronger all the time and I am not far away now and hope that the coach will give me another chance to show that on the pitch. I am still confident and like last season I do not think that anyone has lost faith in me. Now the challenge I have in front of me is to return as soon as possible to my best."

Pep Guardiola has always supported you?

"Yes, he has. There is always competition with new players coming in and even when that has happened he has kept faith with me and I think that is also the case now. The level of competition among the players is high, but it should be at this club. Because everyone is at such a high level we all want to play."

Yaya Touré and Seydou Keita will be at the African Cup of Nations in January. Would you like to fill in as the defensive midfielder as you have done before under Frank Rijkaard?

"I know it well. I have also played there under Guardiola. I want the chance to play in the team in whatever position. It would be all the same to me. I will play where the coach asks me too and will try to do my best."