He may be 35-years-old but centre-back Rafael Marquez remains an important leader for Mexico ahead of the FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil.

据FIFA网站报道，35岁的墨西哥队中后卫拉婓尔·马奎斯（Rafael Marquez）仍然是巴西世界杯开锣前球队的重要领袖人物。

The former Barcelona player will be appearing in his fourth World Cup for the Aztecs and coach Miguel Herrera says his presence is of huge benefit to the other members of the squad.

这位前巴萨球员将在阿兹特克球场（Aztecs）上出场，参加第四次世界杯。教练米格尔·埃雷拉（Miguel Herrera）称，他能给球队其他队员带来巨大收获。

"Bringing Rafael Marquez along has had an important impact on the lads, he's someone his team-mates have a lot of respect for, he's a natural leader," Herrera said.

埃雷拉说道：“拉斐尔·马奎斯对他的队友有重要的影响，队友们都很尊敬他。他是一个天生的领导。”

Two years ago, Marquez's career seemed to be winding down after ten years and 120 caps as his country's captain. He had left Barça to join New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2010, while in 2012 he was discarded from the Mexico set-up.

两年前，在马奎斯职业生涯达到十年，第120次成为国家队队长之后，他的职业生涯开始下滑。2010年，马奎斯离开巴萨，加入美国 足球大联盟(Major League Soccer, MLS)的纽约红牛队(New York Red Bulls)。在2012年，墨西哥队宣布不再录用他。

Bringing Rafael Marquez along has had an important impact on the lads, he's someone his team-mates have a lot of respect for, he's a natural leader.

Mexico head coach Miguel Herrera

拉斐尔马奎斯对他的队友有重要的影响，队友们很尊敬他。他是一个天生的领导。

------------墨西哥队主教练米格尔埃雷拉

But a move to Mexican giants Leon in 2013 helped resurrect both his club and international career as he helped the side to the last two Mexican titles. And now he is set to extend his record 12 World Cup appearances for his country.

不过，2013年，他转会至墨西哥巨人列昂（Leons）俱乐部，获得了最近两年的联赛冠军，让俱乐部和他的国家队生涯得以重生。现在他将继续续写他的记录，第12次代表国家出现在世界杯赛场上。

"Rafa Marquez is a marshal, a commander in chief, he's the most intelligent, most lucid, most technical (of the players)," former Mexico striker Luis Garcia said.

前墨西哥前锋路易斯·加西亚（Louis Garcia）说，“马奎斯是一个指挥官，是一名司令官，他是（球员中）最聪明，最清醒，技术最好。”

Marquez's comeback to the Mexico fold was much needed as the team was on the brink of failing to qualify for the World Cup, for the first time since being banned from the 1990 edition for using over-aged players in qualification for the 1989 World Youth Championships, as they underwent a disastrous CONCACAF qualification phase.

马奎斯的复出对墨西哥队来说是非常有必要的，因为该球队很可能无缘本届世界杯。由于在1989年的世界青年锦标赛中禁止使用了超龄球员，他们被禁止参加1990年世界杯。而当时，他们经历了一场灾难性的中北美及加勒比海地区（CONCACAF）预选赛。

They needed two injury-time goals by the USA in their 3-2 win at Panama to avoid being knocked out of the competition.

由于美国队3-2赢了巴拿马，墨西哥队需要在伤停补时中攻两球，才能避免淘汰。

But that ensured they would play New Zealand in a play-off to reach the finals, with Mexico finding their form to trounce the All Whites 9-3 on aggregate.

不过，在附加赛中，墨西哥找回了状态，以9-3击败新西兰队，确保自己进入决赛圈。

（译者 1104韩金霞 编辑 王旭泉）