Legend Rafael Marquez Says Liga MX Should Be Worried About Improved MLS
Rafael Marquez, a Mexican football star, says that it is just a matter of time that the improved MLS will overcome the Liga MX that will bring a big impact on Mexican soccer and players.
Liga MX is the leading football league in Mexico. It was founded in 1943 and is currently now on its 76 years of operation. At present, the league is sponsored by Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria or popularly known as BBVA. The league has produced international players for the past few years.
Meanwhile, MLS or Major League Soccer is a professional men's football league that is authorized by the United States Soccer Federation. It represents the sport's highest level in the United States.
The longtime Mexican football star said recently that Liga MX should be worried about the rise of MLS. In a published report in Yahoo News, Marquez said that MLS is better than coming in Mexico and this is something that Liga MX should be worried about.
He also added that Liga MX should try to let the players feel loved so that Mexican football players who transferred to other leagues will come back and are expected to help to improve the quality of football in Mexico.
In his statement, during an interview, he strongly said that "We should be working to improve and try to bring back these important players for our country."
Marquez has achieved a lot as a Mexican football player. He is a former defender and is one of the best players ever of the El Tri. He also earned 146 caps from 1997 to 2018. Moreover, he also became the third player to play in his national team for five consecutive times in the World Cup.
He both shined in North America and Europe. He initially broke through with Atlas before heading to Monaco and Barcelona. Before he heads in MLS in 2010, he claimed four titles in Liga MX and that includes two championships.
He also said that before he retires in MLS that he has seen the growth of MLS that he believes will surpass the Liga Mx.
The prediction of Marquez seems to be true because many Mexican players decided to move stateside and continue their football career in MLS. These players include Javier Hernandez, Rodolfo Pizarro, and Alan Pulido.
Meanwhile, Marquez supports the decision of Hernandez and other players because he believes that playing in MLS is an option for the Mexican players who hope to take a leap in their career in Europe the same as what he did.
He said: "It is very appealing nowadays to play in MLS and many young players are thinking that, if they have a good performance here, they can be signed by a team in Europe easier than staying in their home countries and many people judge Rodolfo Pizarro for moving to the MLS but I hope that if he has a good season a team in Europe will sign him. I think he wants to play in Europe and maybe switching to MLS he can get that opportunity that he couldn't have in Mexico."