GUADALAJARA, Mexico -- What is worth more -- winning a UEFA Champions League medal with Barcelona, or lifting the Liga MX trophy with Atlas?
For most players, it would be an easy decision, but Atlas and Mexico captain Rafa Marquez says he would give up one of the Champions league titles he won with the Azulgrana in 2006 and 2009 to end Los Rojinegros' 65-year trophy drought.
"A Champions [League] for a title with Atlas?" said Marquez in an event to celebrate the club's 100th anniversary in Guadalajara. "Sincerely, it would be the most important title [for me] to give back to the club, the institution, the fans and it would be the perfect finale to close a spectacular career."
Marquez started his career back in 1996 with Atlas, before moving on to Monaco in Ligue 1 and then to Barcelona, becoming the most decorated Mexican player ever in terms of major trophies won in Europe.
"El Kaiser de Michoacan" managed four La Liga titles, one Ligue 1 medal and then returned to Mexico to win the Liga MX twice with Club Leon.
But Marquez had always said he wanted to finish his career with first club Atlas and signed last December from Italian club Hellas Verona.
"I'm not going to say that a title in Mexico is better that one in Spain or the Champions League," said 37-year-old Marquez. "[But] personally, for the emotion, it would be the most important of my career."
Marquez indicated retirement isn't on the agenda as yet and he's taking the latter stages of his career on a day-to-day basis, although he has been on form this Apertura 2016.
Atlas currently sit in a playoff spot in eight position in the Liga MX table, with the Clasico Tapatio against city rival Chivas on Sunday.