FC Barcelona Blog reported several weeks ago that FC Barcelona and their defender Rafa Márquez are ready to sign a new deal. (Click here for story). Yesterday afternoon, after Mexico´s captain returned from the World Cup in Germany, Márquez signed a new deal that will keep him at the Club until 2010. The Mexican international extended his contract for a further three years which includes a buy-out clause of €100 mill. (before €25 mill.)


Mexican star player Rafael Márquez joined FC Barcelona in 2003 and signed a four-year deal. His current contract due to expire in 2007 has now been extended until 2010.


The meeting to sign the new contract was attended by Barca´s vice-president Ferran Soriano and director of football Txiki Begiristain. Rafael Márquez arranged to make a stop-over visit in Barcelona to sign the new deal before going on his well deserved holidays.


The backbone


Rafa now joins a select group of players who together make up the backbone of Frank Rijkaard's team. Besides Márquez, a total of eight players have committed themselves to the Club until 2010: Xavi, Puyol, Valdés, Iniesta, Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Deco and Messi.


Captain of Mexico


Rafa Márquez is a hugely popular figure in his home country. He's the captain of the national team that almost eliminated Argentina from the World Cup. He put in a great performance and scored his side's goal but finally had to say goodbye to his World Cup adventure.