World Cup 2018: 9 Players Playing in their Fourth World Cup and One Playing his Fifth

Rafael Márquez (Mexico) - FIFTH World Cup

Rafael Márquez was Mexico's captain in 2014

Only two players have ever played in five different World Cups - Germany midfielder Lothar Matthaus and Mexico goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal (Gianluigi Buffon only played in four although he was in the squad in five World Cups). Rafael Marquez will now join this elite group.

Mexico took a while to announce their 23-man squad but when they did, Marquez was one of the first players to be named. Aged 39, this will be his final outing. He has already retired from club football and did say that the FIFA World Cup would be the last time he wore an El Tri shirt.

Although he made his debut before the 1998 World Cup, he did not play in his first World Cup until 2002 where he captained and played all four games Mexico played before being eliminated. It was the same case in 2006 as well when he scored the only goal in the game they were knocked out by Argentina.

Rafa Marquez’s club career is over. The most decorated player in the history of 🇲🇽 football. Ligue 1 x 1Trophée des Champions x 1 Coupe de la Ligue x 1La Liga x 4Supercopa de España x 3 Copa del Rey x 1#ligamxeng x 2Champions League x 2Club World Cup x 1#Eltrieng pic.twitter.com/f8LzAWlr8S

— Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) April 29, 2018

He did play an active role in 2010 and in 2014 he became the first player to captain a national team in four different World Cups. He could have made it five but this time Mexico will be led by Andres Guardado.