Cristiano Ronaldo could have played for FC Barcelona but Rafa Márquez prevented it

Rafael Márquez is one of the best players that Mexico National Team has given to the world in recent history, not only for his long trajectory but also because he was the first Mexican winning a Champions League, something he did twice with FC Barcelona.

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He’s one of the best Mexican defenders and his resumé can back him up, given that he played in five different countries, with solid performances that help his former teams to be champions of their respective leagues in three of those countries.

On the other hand, Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world, as he’s not only for being the player with most games played in Champions League, but he’s also the highest scorer for a national team, and the player with most goals scored in the history of soccer.

But what few people know about him, is that when his career was just starting, he had the chance of playing in FC Barcelona, where he could have coincided with the other player that’s called to be the best player in the world: Lionel Messi.

Why didn’t he arrive in FC Barcelona?

Back in 2003, when Rafa Márquez was playing in Ligue 1 for Monaco FC, Barcelona decided to buy him for $4 million given their needs of having a defender that could complement Carles Puyol, who was already one of the best defenders of the decade.

On the same summer, Cristiano Ronaldo agent offered him to Joan Laporta, who had to choose between Márquez or Ronaldo, but given the needs they had for the 2003-04 season, he decided to pursue the addition of Márquez.

Cristiano Ronaldo ended up joining Premier League side Manchester United that same season, where he played for six years, after having a breakout season the year before with Primeira Liga side Sporting CP, where he professionally debuted.

What does Rafael Márquez do now?

After retiring from professional soccer in 2018 with Atlas, the club where he was formed, Márquez became an executive for Los Zorros for a short stint, as well as starting his studies to become a coach. In the meantime, he also works as a TV analyst for Mexico National Team games.

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