Watch Rafa Marquez ask Mexico fans for quiet so team can sleep night before World Cup match

Henry Bushnell
·Senior soccer reporter

Fans of Mexico’s national team are as passionate as any in the world. Thousands have followed the team to Russia for the World Cup. And the most passionate of the bunch were rewarded with a visit from their heroes the night before Mexico’s second game against South Korea.

Longtime captain Rafa Marquez, flanked by teammates, came out of the team hotel late Friday night to address the fans who had gathered. He thanked them for their support as all sorts of noisemaking horns blared.

But, understandably, he had also come with another message: Guys, we need to get some sleep.

“We ask that you let us rest,” Marquez said, an obvious reference to all the racket the fans were making right outside the building in which the players would try to sleep.

“We appreciate very much that you’ve come to visit here,” Marquez said in Spanish. “We’re very excited … the support we’re receiving. We want to give you our thanks.”

“But we ask that you let us rest. Tomorrow is a very important game. So we ask you, and with all our heart, we appreciate you for all your support.”

The players then danced and sang along with the fans for a bit, before retiring back to the hotel.

The following morning, even more fans were out in full force to see the team off to its game.

Mexico shocked Germany in its opener, and could take another huge step toward the knockout rounds – and to the top of Group F – with a win over the worst team in the group, South Korea.

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Henry Bushnell covers global soccer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Question? Comment? Email him at henrydbushnell@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter @HenryBushnell, and on Facebook.

Rafa Marquez addresses Mexico fans the night before the team’s World Cup match against South Korea. (Getty)
Rafa Marquez addresses Mexico fans the night before the team’s World Cup match against South Korea. (Getty)

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