Rafael Márquez is one of the best Mexican footballers of all time and made history with Barcelona, where he won two Champions League titles among many more titles.
However, this would not have been possible had it not been for the good eye of Joan Laporta , former president of the Blaugrana club.
Laporta told about the signing of the Mexican defender, who was not exactly one of the club’s objectives, but his price was too attractive.
“The agent was Jorge Mendes and we had just won the elections and a few of us were having a meal. We were planning the season and they were trying to sell us to triple A, Ayala, Albelda and Aimar and Ayala had 30 years, an experience and an important career for what it cost money “, said Laporta in an interview with the YouTube channel ‘Iniestazo’.
” And this agent (Jorge) comes and says congratulations president, I have a terrific central defender for Barça, Rafa Márquez, and I replied that I know him, he’s very good. Jorge tells us ‘If I bring him for five million (euros) to Barça, will they sign him?’ I thought it was very difficult for him to bring him for five million but I shook his hand and if he brings him for five million we have to sign him because the president of Barcelona only has one word and his word is law. ”
“Two weeks pass and the reception secretary tells me that she brings a boy and says she has a meeting with you, however, I had not met with anyone but she told me it was someone who came from Monaco and then I started to link the story. (Jorge) came in and told me: ‘President, here I have the letter from Monaco that they sell Rafa Márquez for five million euros’ and the negotiations with the others stopped and we signed Márquez ”, he said.
Was I a real bargain or not pressed ?? @ JoanLaportaFCB 😂😂😂😜😜😜 https://t.co/rK9coxZsrJ
– Rafa Marquez (@RafaMarquezMX) January 11, 2021
It should be noted that Monaco had paid the Atlas 4.5 million euros for Rafa Márquez in 1999; so it turned out to be a bargain for Barcelona to buy it for five in the year 2003.
Laporta is currently seeking his second term at the helm of Barcelona.