Mexico stalwart Rafael Marquez is determined to beat Argentina to get over their defeat four years ago.
Tough tackler eyes last 16 victory
Mexico stalwart Rafael Marquez is determined to beat Argentina on Sunday to get over their defeat of four years ago.
Argentina triumphed 2-1 in the last 16 of the 2006 World Cup, and eight members of that Mexico squad are playing in the current tournament.
Marquez is determined to right the wrongs of the last defeat in 2006, describing it as a 'thorn in my side'.
He said: "We are better than that Mexico team, which didn't have so many players in European teams.
"(Argentina) has the best player in the world, Leo Messi, and that makes them more complete.
"But we will try to change all that. I have a thorn in my side from four years ago and hopefully on Sunday we can take it out."
Highlight
The 31-year-old added: "I'm experiencing one of the highlights of my football career and personal life.
"I can't do anything but enjoy this opportunity, which could be my last World Cup because of my age."
Marquez, currently of Barcelona, feels the mood back home has dampened since the defeat to Uruguay in their last game, but he is optimistic of progression to the quarter-finals.
"There is always pessimism in Mexico," he remarked. "But we have to make them believe in us by working hard and fighting to make Mexicans happy.
"We need to change this mentality not only in football, but other aspects of life to ensure we are better in every sense of the word.
"To be great, we have to set aside this mentality of being pessimistic."
