If you thought watching Javier Mascherano hurry and hassle France’s trio of Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante was a fascinating but doomed exercise pitting a warrior of yesteryear against the game’s brightest talents, boy, do we have another cracker for you: it’s 39-year-old RAFA MARQUEZ shielding Mexico’s back four against Neymar, Philippe Coutinho and Paulinho. Let’s get it on!
Mexico Starting 11 vs Brazil
Rafael Marquez STARTS for Mexico against Brazil! No Layun for #MEX
Marcelo is not fit enough to start for #BRA, but available on the bench. pic.twitter.com/NYLlQ2bBwX— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2018
Before the tournament, there was a question of whether or not Marquez would even be included after finishing his club career with Atlas. However, it was immediately made clear that the entire squad wanted Marquez with them.
The El Tri legend then traveled and appeared in his fifth World Cup when he came on as a substitute against Germany, becoming just the third man in history to play at a fifth tournament.
For those doubting his ability to still make an impact, I’ll just point you towards November 11, 2016, at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus. Plus, he's going to break Neymar.
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