Carlos Marchena

Football player infobox
playername = Carlos Marchena


fullname = Carlos Marchena López
height = height|m=1.83
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1979|7|31
cityofbirth = Seville
countryofbirth = Spain
currentclub = Valencia CF
clubnumber = 5
position = Centre back/defensive midfielder
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1997–2000 2000–2001 2001–
clubs = Sevilla FC SL Benfica Valencia CF
caps(goals) = 068 (1) 020 (2) 0180 (5)
nationalyears = 2002–
nationalteam = Spain
nationalcaps(goals) = 047 (2)
pcupdate = July 30, 2008
ntupdate = July 30, 2008

Carlos Marchena López, known as Marchena (born 31 July 1979 in Seville), is a Spanish footballer who currently plays centre back or defensive midfielder for Valencia CF and the Spanish national football team, being a regular first-team choice for both squads.

Football career

Marchena started his professional career in hometown club Sevilla FC at the age of 18, when the club was playing in the Spanish second division. In 1999-2000, he debuted in the top flight, playing the entire match in an August 22, 1999 home draw with Real Sociedad (2-2).

When Sevilla was relegated again at the end of the season, Marchena earned a transfer to Portugal's Sport Lisboa e Benfica, where he did sufficiently well to catch the eye of top club Valencia CF, who were in need to provide cover for their aging centre-back Miroslav Djukić. Marchena signed a four-year contract, which involved a swap-deal, with Zlatko Zahovic moving in the opposite direction. While Marchena took a while in his first season to impress (16 appearances), as Valencia clinched their first title in 30 years, he gradually became first-choice.

In the 2003-04 season, with Valencia capturing a historic league and UEFA Cup double, Marchena played a pivotal role in defense, teaming up with Roberto Ayala. This polished performance led to his selection for the Spanish national team for the Euro 2004 tournament. He was, in fact, chosen at the last minute by then coach Iñaki Sáez as a strategic move to bolster his squad defensively. While Spain did not do well in the tournament and bowed out in the early stages, he did manage 2 appearances, although he did also picked up 2 yellow cards while doing so.

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 first-round match against Werder Bremen at the Mestalla stadium, he was also given his marching orders in the final minutes of the match, and Valencia was eliminated from the elite competition. Marchena remained a regular at both defensive positions.

Marchena was part of the national side 2006 World Cup squad. However, he was not a regular starter and only featured in the last first-round game against Saudi Arabia. He was called again for Euro 2008, this time as undisputed starter, having also featured prominently in the qualifying stages. His defensive and man-marking skills earned him a spot in the team of the tournament.

After the continental competition, Marchena was selected by Valencia teammates as new team captain, although he missed 2008-09's first month due to injury.

Honours

Valencia

*Spanish League: 2002, 2004
*UEFA Cup: 2004
*European Super Cup: 2004
*Spanish Cup: 2008

Spain

*FIFA World Youth Championship: 1999
*
*Olympic Games: 2000 Olympics silver medal
*Euro 2008 Team of the tournament

External links

*FIFA player|177846
* [http://www.lfp.es/historico/primera/plantillas/historial.asp?jug=6764 Stats at Liga de Fútbol Profesional] es icon
* [http://futbol.sportec.es/seleccion/ficha_jugador.asp?j=401&n=marchena/carlos/marchena/lopez National team data] es icon