Carlos Marchena

Early years

Born in Las Cabezas de San Juan, Province of Seville, Andalusia, Marchena started his professional career in hometown club Sevilla at the age of 18, when the club was in the Segunda División. He made his La Liga debut on 22 August 1999, playing the entire 2–2 home draw with Real Sociedad. When Sevilla were relegated again at the end of the season, Marchena earned a transfer to Portugal's Benfica. During his spell in Lisbon he scored in two narrow wins, at home against Belenenses (1–0) and at Salgueiros (2–1), but almost left the Estádio da Luz in late 2000 due to lack of payment.

Valencia

Marchena returned to his country in summer 2001 as he signed a four-year contract with Valencia, with Zlatko Zahovič moving in the opposite direction. Having signed as a cover for ageing Miroslav Đukić, he took a while to impress in his first season (16 appearances), as Valencia clinched their first league title in 30 years, but gradually became first choice. In the 2003–04 campaign, with the side capturing an historic league and UEFA Cup double, Marchena played a pivotal role in defence, teaming up with Roberto Ayala; the former played 44 games in all competitions, the latter 45. 2004–05 was not a very successful season for Valencia, as under new coach Claudio Ranieri the team struggled both domestically and in European tournaments. In a UEFA Champions League group-stage match against Werder Bremen at the Weser-Stadion, Marchena was also given his marching…

Marchena first appeared for Spain as part of the under-20 team alongside Iker Casillas and Xavi, finishing first at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship. He was also on the roster for the 2000 Summer Olympics, winning the silver medal. Marchena made his senior debut on 21 August 2002, in a testimonial match for Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskás in Budapest just after the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan. Subsequently, he was part of the squad at UEFA Euro 2004, where he was chosen at the last minute by coach Iñaki Sáez as a strategic move to bolster his side defensively; while Spain bowed out after the group phase, he did manage two appearances, but picked up two yellow cards in the process.

On 8 June 2005, Marchena scored his first international goal, a last-minute equaliser in a 1–1 draw in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, played in Valencia. He was picked for the finals, but only played the last group fixture against Saudi Arabia. Marchena was selected again by Luis Aragonés for Euro 2008, this time as undisputed starter, having also featured prominently in the qualifying stages. With Joan Capdevila, Carles Puyol and Sergio Ramos, he formed a rock-solid defense and conceded only two goals in five games, his hard work and man-marking skills earning him a spot in the team of the tournament. Under new coach Vicente del Bosque, Marchena slowly lost his spot to Gerard Piqué, but was still included in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the…

Club

International

Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Marchena goal.

Valencia

La Liga: 2001–02, 2003–04 Copa del Rey: 2007–08 UEFA Cup: 2003–04 UEFA Super Cup: 2004 Spain U20

FIFA World Youth Championship: 1999 Spain U23

Summer Olympic silver medal: 2000 Spain

FIFA World Cup: 2010 UEFA European Championship: 2008 FIFA Confederations Cup third place: 2009 Individual

UEFA Euro 2008: Team of the tournament