Marquez: I feel good enough to play a few more years

Upon his return to Mexico with Club Leon, Rafael Marquez is talking about the Mexican national team as if he expects to play a role in the coming year.

“I’m 33 and I still feel good enough to play a few years more,” the defender told press in Leon on Monday. “The Confederations Cup is coming up with the national team, the World Cup is coming.”

The former New York Red Bull, who spent two and a half seasons in MLS, hasn’t appeared for Mexico in a meaningful match in nearly a year, after being dropped by Manuel de la Torre following his poor form and controversial antics in New York.

Marquez, who cited getting back into El Tri’s plans as a motive for a return to Mexico, moved to Leon last week, joining a club that has Copa Libertadores on its plate for early 2013 in addition to the Clausura tournament.

“It’s like our Champions League for this side of the continent,” Marquez said of the Copa Libertadores. “It will be nice to travel to different countries and compete with teams from other countries.”

As far as his stint in MLS, Marquez chalked up his problems in the U.S. to playing in a league which he categorized as still amateur.