Mark Garcia (Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza, 1987) rose to fame in 2007 for the goal that framework al Real Madrid. Marquitos, as he was known at the time, gave Villarreal the first win in its history against Real Madrid. Later, more yellow wins came, but Marcos’ goal will always remain in the memory. In January, the 15th anniversary of the deed was completed. The attacker, now at CD Ibiza, remembers that triumph with AS.
15 years have passed since that first Villarreal victory against Madrid. What memories do you have?
It was a very nice, special night. It was my first year in Primera and many things happened to me. To this day, after 15 years, people still remember me for that goal against Madrid. The years pass, but the memory remains.
Do you remember how the goal was?
Clear. Matías Fernández put a good ball in front of me and I crossed it to Casillas. It was 1-0 and the goal that gave us the victory. It was the first time that they beat Madrid in the history of Villarreal. It was a party for everyone. On a personal level, for the club and, above all, for the fans.
And the day after?
Playing against a big team always has a lot of repercussions. Many people called me. I was in all the newspapers and on all the radios.
That was a good Madrid…
And so much. He ended up champion of the League after playing for the title with Barça until the end. It had great players, like Robinho, Cannavaro, Van Nistelrooy… Iker was the goalkeeper and Capello was the coach. For a 19-year-old boy, everything that happened to me that season was a dream. I scored three goals throughout the season, against Racing, Barça and Madrid.
And at Villarreal there was Pellegrini…
That’s how it is. The coach who makes you known and gives you the opportunity always sticks with you. Now I see his career and how it has gone and I am very happy for him. I would like to see him again one day, give him a hug and thank him for everything he did for me.
What did you do with the shirt from the goal against Madrid?
I have it saved and with a frame. That will remain for the memory, for my son. I have a seven-year-old boy who doesn’t stop watching my videos and he is realizing that his father also played in the First Division. My son, after seeing Messi, Cristiano and Mbappé, asks me if I also played at the Camp Nou and the Bernabéu.
At that time, Fernando Roig was already president. Did he have any detail in the form of a bonus after beating Madrid?
The president had many details (laughs). Roig has always taken good care of the players. He is a close president and involved in the project. He has put effort, hours of work and money. Villarreal must be a faithful mirror for the rest of the quarries. When I arrived I had just gone up to First and there was almost nothing. Now it’s another world and every time I go there is something new in its Sports City. In addition, the Europa League that he won was recognition of a job well done. He won a title with many homegrown players in the squad and that has a lot of merit
Everything happened to Marquitos too quickly…
I arrived at First Division very young. He was a boom my debut, with those three goals and I had the whole race ahead of me. But today I can not complain about my career. I have been able to enjoy all the Spanish categories. It is a privilege and I would sign this race again.
And now it’s on CD Ibiza, in Segunda RFEF.
Here I am and very happy. I have been able to return to the place where I grew up, to my land and where I gave my first kicks. Football has grown a lot at a professional level in Ibiza and that is important for us because we don’t have to go abroad to play football. I’m still just as excited.