Mexico defender Rafael Marquez is about to
gain Spanish citizenship, making him eligible to appear for FC
Barcelona as a European Union player.
Marquez swore allegiance to the Spanish Constitution in the
Catalan town of Gava on Friday and is now awaiting clearance from
the country's soccer federation and Football League.
``It's good news,'' Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard said in
Saturday's edition of Mundo Deportivo. ``The club too has helped
Marquez to get the passport.''
Marquez's citizenship will leave Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o as
Barcelona's only non-EU players.
As Spanish clubs are allowed three non-EU players in their
squads, Barcelona can sign another during the January transfer
window.
Instead, the club could promote another Mexican, 17-year-old
playmaker Giovani dos Santos, who helped his country win the
under-17 World Cup last year.
``We have to evaluate it carefully and decide calmly what to
do,'' Rijkaard said. ``We already know that he (dos Santos) is a
talent.''
Marquez, 27, has helped Barcelona win the Champions League and
two Spanish league titles since joining from AS Monaco in 2003.
An ankle injury has kept Marquez out of Barcelona's Spanish
league game with Villarreal later Saturday. Barcelona leads with 26
points from 11 games.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
