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New York Red Bulls defender Rafa Marquez returns to Barcelona to train with B team
The 32-year-old Mexico international returns to train with the club where he had his most success. He will mentor the B team's young defenders.
Jan 5, 2012 12:34:00 PM
By Alex Labidou
Getty
Enduring the worst season of his career, Rafa Marquez might have found a way to regain his previous stellar form.
Accoring to the New York Red Bulls offiicial website, the 32-year-old Designated Player has agreed to train with Barcelona's B team during the Major League Soccer offseason.
Marquez was a first team defender for the Catalan club's senior side between 2003 and 2010 and his representatives say the return to the side is strictly to stay in shape and mentor the team's younger players.
Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola and Eusebio Sacristan, the youth team boss, have agreed to incorporate the RBNY defender into the club's training routines until MLS resumes activities later this year.
The two men hope that the Marquez will be able to inspire some of the team's young defenders and groom those players for debuts with the senior side.
Returning to the side where he won four La Liga titles and two Champions League wins might boost the morale of a player who struggled through 2011 and couldn't avoid self-inflicted controversy.
While Marquez's future with his current club hangs in the balance, despite denials from the Red Bulls, a brief spell in Europe could be beneficial for both sides.
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Accoring to the New York Red Bulls offiicial website, the 32-year-old Designated Player has agreed to train with Barcelona's B team during the Major League Soccer offseason.
Marquez was a first team defender for the Catalan club's senior side between 2003 and 2010 and his representatives say the return to the side is strictly to stay in shape and mentor the team's younger players.
Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola and Eusebio Sacristan, the youth team boss, have agreed to incorporate the RBNY defender into the club's training routines until MLS resumes activities later this year.
The two men hope that the Marquez will be able to inspire some of the team's young defenders and groom those players for debuts with the senior side.
Returning to the side where he won four La Liga titles and two Champions League wins might boost the morale of a player who struggled through 2011 and couldn't avoid self-inflicted controversy.
While Marquez's future with his current club hangs in the balance, despite denials from the Red Bulls, a brief spell in Europe could be beneficial for both sides.
Follow GOAL.COM USA on
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