Marquez set for contract talks

(GSM) – Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez is reportedly set to discuss his future with the Catalan club following the conclusion of the World Cup in South Africa.

The Mexico international, who captained Mexico to a 2-0 victory over France on Thursday, has said that he needs to speak to Barca coach Pep Guardiola before deciding whether to accept a new two-year contract at the Nou Camp.

“I am not thinking about what can happen in the future,” he told Catalan station COM Radio on Friday. “I have to speak to Pep because it’s true I played very little last year, but I’m relaxed.”

Marquez, who was a key player for Barca in Guardiola’s first season in charge, ended the campaign with a serious injury and struggled to regain both fitness and form last term.

The 31-year-old has been at Barca since 2003 and was the second signing made by outgoing president Joan Laporta.

He is also one of the few players to have previously worked with Barca’s former vice-president and new chief, Sandro Rosell. And Marquez revealed he phoned Rosell to congratulate him on his recent election victory.

“I called to him to congratulate him and he returned the message. Let’s just hope he is enjoying this moment and preparing to take over,” he said.