"It was difficult to make the decision to leave Barca"

Leaving FC Barcelona has been one of the hardest decisions Rafa Marquez has had to make so far. The youth team coach explained on social media his reasons for starting a new journey in his professional career.
"It's been many days analysing the decision about a new challenge. It has been very difficult for me to make the decision to leave Barcelona Atletic and take on a new challange. In my life, I've never liked being in a comfort zone. I'm always looking for growth and these two years at Barcelona Atletic have helped me to realise that there is a passion and an idea that I must continue to polish through hard work," he said.
Rafa Marquez is confident that, in the future, he will be able to start a new stage at Barca: "I am grateful for the great opportunity that the club has given me. To the president, Joan Laporta, directors, staff, players and workers of the club, I hope to have fulfilled the objectives and expectations set. As was the case when I was a player at the club, I hope that this is not a goodbye but a see you soon".
From now on, he is part of the coaching staff of the Mexican national team, led by Javier Aguirre. "I face this new challenge with the responsibility it deserves", he commented and stressed that it has been his “pride” for his country and the “commitment” for something as “important as playing a World Cup at home” that has made him embark on this adventure.
Rafa Marquez is confident that he "will be able to transmit" all his knowledge, values and passion for football to all those who are part of this new stage. "One of the most important things in my philosophy of life is that to achieve goals, hard work is the cornerstone, so I will give my best to help improve every area in which I work, always trying to spread my positive mentality and hoping that good results will accompany us," he said.