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Marco Fabián
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Fabián with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2017
Personal information
Date of birth (1989-07-21) 21 July 1989 (age 35)
Place of birth Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Height 1.70 m
Playing position Attacking midfielder
Youth career
1997–2007 Guadalajara
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2009 Tapatío 15 (2)
2007–2015 Guadalajara 193 (48)
2014 Cruz Azul (loan) 31 (8)
2016–2018 Eintracht Frankfurt 43 (8)
2019 Philadelphia Union 23 (7)
2020 Al-Sadd 3 (1)
2020–2021 Juárez 24 (0)
2022–2023 Mazatlán 30 (2)
2023 UE Santa Coloma 3 (0)
2023–2024 Empire Strykers (indoor) 21 (35)
2024 Rànger's 4 (2)
National team
2011–2012 Mexico U23 20 (15)
2012–2019 Mexico 43 (9)
Honours
Men's football
Representing  Mexico
Olympic Games
Gold 2012 London Team
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Winner CONCACAF Gold Cup 2011
  • Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15 December 2023.
† Appearances (Goals).

Marco Jhonfai Fabián de la Mora (born 21 July 1989) is a Mexican professional footballer. He plays as an attacking midfielder. He is famous for winning an Olympic gold medal with Mexico.

Fabián grew up in the C.D. Guadalajara's youth academy. He made his first team debut in 2007. He helped Guadalajara reach the finals of the Copa Libertadores in 2010. Later, he played for Cruz Azul on loan before returning to Guadalajara.

Marco Fabián played for Mexico's national teams at different age levels. He helped the Mexico U-23 team win the 2012 Toulon Tournament. He also helped them qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics. At the Olympics, he won a gold medal with his team in London. He has also played in major tournaments like the CONCACAF Gold Cup and the FIFA World Cup.

Marco Fabián's Club Journey

Starting at Guadalajara

Fabián joined Guadalajara when he was young. He spent ten years learning and playing in their youth system. He also played for their smaller team, Tapatío.

On 10 November 2007, Fabián played his first game for Guadalajara. This was in a league match against Jaguares de Chiapas. He scored his first goal for the team on 2 February 2008. This was in a big 6–0 win against Morelia. In 2010, he scored a goal in the 2010 Copa Libertadores Finals. On 15 October 2011, he scored three goals in one game (a hat-trick) against Estudiantes Tecos.

Playing for Cruz Azul

On 12 December 2013, Fabián moved to Cruz Azul for a two-year loan. He played his first game for Cruz Azul on 1 May 2014. He scored an important winning goal in the 92nd minute against Puebla. This goal was even nominated for the 2014 FIFA Puskás Award, which is given for the most beautiful goal of the year.

Back to Guadalajara

After his loan ended, Fabián returned to Guadalajara in December 2014. He quickly scored in his first game back against UNAM. He also scored against his former loan team, Cruz Azul. On 17 May 2015, he scored another hat-trick against Atlas. This helped Guadalajara win 4–1 in a quarter-final match.

Playing in Germany: Eintracht Frankfurt

On 18 December 2015, Fabián moved to Germany to play for Bundesliga team Eintracht Frankfurt. He signed a three-year contract. He made his first appearance for them on 24 January 2016. He helped set up a goal that won the game 3–2.

He scored his first goal for Frankfurt on 17 September 2016. This was in a 2–1 win against Bayer Leverkusen. On 15 October, he scored a goal with his chest against Bayern Munich. This helped his team get a 2–2 draw.

Moving to the United States: Philadelphia Union

On 8 February 2019, Fabián joined the MLS team Philadelphia Union. He signed a one-year deal. He scored in his first MLS game against Toronto FC on March 2. On October 20, he scored the winning goal in a playoff match against New York Red Bulls. This gave Philadelphia their first playoff win ever.

Short Stays: Al-Sadd and Juárez

On 5 February 2020, Fabián moved to Qatar Stars League team Al-Sadd. Later, on 11 August 2020, he returned to Mexico. He signed a contract with Juárez.

Mazatlán and Santa Coloma

On 18 January 2022, Fabián joined Liga MX team Mazatlán. After some time without a club, he returned to Europe. On 29 September 2023, he joined the Andorran team Santa Coloma.

Indoor Football: Empire Strykers

In December 2023, Fabián tried a new type of football. He joined the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) by signing with the Empire Strykers. This was a big deal for the league.

Marco Fabián's International Career

Youth Team Success

Fabián played for Mexico's youth teams. He played in the 2009 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.

Olympic Qualifying and Toulon Tournament

In 2012, Fabián was called up for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. He scored three goals in one game against Trinidad and Tobago. He helped Mexico win the tournament and qualify for the Olympics. He was one of the top scorers with five goals.

He also played in the 2012 Toulon Tournament. He scored a hat-trick against Morocco. He scored seven goals in total and won the Top Scorer award. He tied England's Alan Shearer as the all-time top scorer in that tournament.

Winning Olympic Gold in 2012

Fabián was part of the team for the 2012 London Olympics. He played in Mexico's first game against South Korea. In the semi-final against Japan, he scored a goal to tie the game. Mexico won 3–1 and went to the final.

In the final, Mexico played against Brazil. Fabián almost scored a bicycle kick goal, but it hit the post. He did help Oribe Peralta score his second goal. Mexico won the match 2–1 and took home the Olympic gold medal! Fabián played a key role in the team's attack.

Playing for the Senior National Team

Fabián made his debut for the senior national team on 25 January 2012. This was in a 3–1 win against Venezuela.

Gold Cup and Copa América

He played in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He scored three goals and made three assists in the tournament. In 2011, he was part of the team for the 2011 Copa América. However, he faced a temporary suspension due to a team rule violation.

FIFA World Cups

Fabián was chosen for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. He played as a substitute in games against Cameroon, Brazil, and Croatia.

He also played in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. He scored Mexico's only goal against Germany in the semi-final. This goal was voted the "Goal of the Tournament." In May 2018, he was named in Mexico's team for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He played in one group stage match against Sweden.

How Marco Fabián Plays

ESPN described Fabián as a player with "impeccable balance and poise on the ball." They said he can play on either wing or as an attacking midfielder. He can easily get past defenders and often scores amazing goals.

A German sports magazine called Kicker rated him as the third best attacking midfielder in the Bundesliga. This shows how skilled he is.

Marco Fabián's Life Outside Football

Fabián helped start a football academy in Guadalajara, Mexico. This academy teaches young players about football. It also gives them advice on nutrition and psychology. Fabián himself helps supervise the program.

He is also a big fan of the baseball team Charros de Jalisco. He is good friends with fellow footballer Javier Hernández.

Marco Fabián in Media

Marco Fabián appeared on the Mexican cover of the video game FIFA 16 alongside Lionel Messi.

Honours and Awards

Guadalajara

Cruz Azul

Eintracht Frankfurt

Mexico U23

  • CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship: 2012
  • Toulon Tournament: 2012
  • Olympic Gold Medal: 2012

Mexico

Individual Awards

  • CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship Top Scorer: 2012 (Shared)
  • Toulon Tournament Golden Boot: 2012
  • FIFA Confederations Cup Goal of the Tournament: 2017

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