Marquez joins World Cup veterans' club

Only Antonio Carbajal and Lothar Matthaus had previously achieved the feat, with Marquez the only one of the trio still active at international level.

It is worth pointing out that Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon was also called up for five World Cups, but failed to play a single minute in France in 1998.

Having been one of the first names on the teamsheet in years gone by, this tournament was always going to be different for Marquez, with the now 39-year-old seen very much as a bit-part player.

However, it says everything for his ability that with Mexico backed up against the wall, Juan Carlos Osorio turned to the Atlas centre-back to provide a cool head to see his side over the line.

Marquez can now add Russia to South Korean and Japan (2002), Germany (2006), South Africa (2010) and Brazil (2014) as countries where where has represented his side on the biggest stage of them all.

 

June 17, 2018