Marc Roca
{{short description|Spanish footballer (born 1996)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{family name hatnote|Roca|Junqué|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Marc Roca
| image =
| caption =
| fullname = Marc Roca Junqué{{cite web|url=https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/fb00fb4f430e88fc/original/vfolbncwswkxqi8ostba-pdf.pdf|title=Squad List: FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020: FC Bayern München|publisher=FIFA|page=3|date=1 February 2021|access-date=1 February 2021}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|11|26|df=y}}{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/marc-roca_prs455513/person.shtml|title=Marc Roca|publisher=Eurosport|access-date=4 November 2020}}
| birth_place = Vilafranca, Spain
| position = Defensive midfielder
| currentclub = Betis
| clubnumber = 21
| youthyears1 = 2003–2008 | youthclubs1 = Atlètic Vilafranca
| youthyears2 = 2008–2015 | youthclubs2 = Espanyol
| years1 = 2014–2017 | clubs1 = Espanyol B | caps1 = 51 | goals1 = 6
| years2 = 2016–2020 | clubs2 = Espanyol | caps2 = 105 | goals2 = 3
| years3 = 2020–2022 | clubs3 = Bayern Munich | caps3 = 15 | goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2022–2024 | clubs4 = Leeds United | caps4 = 32 | goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2023–2024 | clubs5 = → Betis (loan) | caps5 = 26 | goals5 = 2
| years6 = 2024– | clubs6 = Betis | caps6 = 14 | goals6 = 2
| nationalyears1 = 2015 | nationalteam1 = Spain U19 | nationalcaps1 = 1 | nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2018–2019 | nationalteam2 = Spain U21 | nationalcaps2 = 7 | nationalgoals2 = 2
| nationalyears3 = 2016– | nationalteam3 = Catalonia | nationalcaps3 = 2 | nationalgoals3 = 0
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's football}}
{{Medal|Country|{{fb|ESP}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|UEFA European Under-21 Championship}}
{{Medal|W|2019 Italy|Team}}
| club-update = 21:54, 16 February 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 20:05, 2 June 2025 (UTC)
}}
Marc Roca Junqué (born 26 November 1996) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for La Liga club Real Betis.
He started his career at Espanyol, appearing in 121 competitive matches and four La Liga seasons. In October 2020, he signed with Bayern Munich.
Roca won the 2019 European Under-21 Championship with Spain.
Club career
=Espanyol=
Born in Vilafranca del Penedès, Barcelona, Catalonia, Roca joined RCD Espanyol's youth setup in 2008, aged 11.{{cite news|url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/rcd-espanyol/20160729/403558245042/marc-roca-el-canterano-que-cautiva-a-quique.html|title=Marc Roca, el canterano que cautiva a Quique|trans-title=Marc Roca, the youth player who captivates Quique|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Mari Carmen|last=Juárez|language=es|date=29 July 2016|access-date=27 August 2016}} On 24 August 2014, he made his senior debut with the reserves, starting in a 2–2 Segunda División B home draw against Lleida Esportiu.{{cite news|url=http://www.lesportiudecatalunya.cat/nel9/article/8-esports/52-futbol-catala/771431-un-empat-amb-dos-sabors.html?dema=1&piwik_campaign=rss&piwik_kwd=mes|title=Un empat amb dos sabors|trans-title=A draw with two tastes|newspaper=L'Esportiu|first=Íñigo|last=Blanco|language=ca|date=25 August 2014|access-date=27 August 2016}}
Roca scored his first senior goal on 17 January 2015, his team's second in a 2–3 home loss to UE Olot.{{cite web|url=http://www.ueolot.com/2015/01/17/una-remuntada-de-les-que-fan-aficio-espanyol-b-2-3-ue-olot/|title=Remuntada de les que fan afició (Espanyol B 2–3 UE Olot)|trans-title=Old-school comeback (Espanyol B 2–3 UE Olot)|publisher=UE Olot|language=ca|date=17 January 2015|access-date=27 August 2016}} On 4 August, he renewed his contract until 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.rcdespanyol.com/es/actualidad/marc-roca-renovado/_n:944/|title=Marc Roca, renovado|trans-title=Marc Roca, renewed|publisher=RCD Espanyol|language=es|date=4 August 2015|access-date=27 August 2016}}
On 26 August 2016, Roca made his first-team – and La Liga – debut, starting in a 2–2 home draw against Málaga CF.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2016_17/la-liga/jornada_2/esp_mga/|title=El Espanyol regala un punto al Málaga|trans-title=Espanyol give a point to Málaga|newspaper=Marca|first=David|last=Sierra|language=es|date=26 August 2016|access-date=27 August 2016}} On 11 November, he agreed to an extension until 2022 and was permanently promoted to the main squad the following season.{{cite news|url=http://www.sport.es/es/noticias/espanyol/espanyol-renueva-marc-roca-hasta-2022-5623058|title=El Espanyol renueva a Marc Roca hasta 2022|trans-title=Espanyol renew Marc Roca until 2022|newspaper=Sport|language=es|date=11 November 2016|access-date=15 August 2017}}
Roca scored his first goal in the top flight on 21 April 2019, in a 2–2 draw at Levante UD.{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2019/04/21/primera/1555849379_195047.html|title=El Levante, que acabó con 10, y el Espanyol se quedan a medias|trans-title=Levante, who ended with 10, and Espanyol go halfway|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Víctor|last=López|language=es|date=21 April 2019|access-date=4 November 2020}} He played 44 matches across all competitions in the 2019–20 campaign, but the club was relegated to Segunda División for the first time in 26 years.{{cite news|url=https://www.elespanol.com/elbernabeu/futbol/20200721/ia-revalorizaria-marc-roca-madrid-arsenal-milan/506950501_0.html|title=La IA define dónde se revalorizaría más la promesa Marc Roca: Madrid, contra Arsenal y Milan|trans-title=AI defines where would prospect Marc Roca increase in value more: Madrid, against Arsenal and Milan|newspaper=El Español|first=Jorge|last=Martínez|language=es|date=21 July 2020|access-date=4 November 2020}}
=Bayern Munich=
On 4 October 2020, Roca signed for FC Bayern Munich on a five-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://fcbayern.com/en/news/2020/10/bayern-munich-sign-marc-roca-from-espanyol|title=FC Bayern sign Marc Roca|publisher=FC Bayern Munich|date=4 October 2020|access-date=4 October 2020}} He made his official debut 11 days later, in a 3–0 defeat of amateurs 1. FC Düren in the first round of the DFB-Pokal.{{cite web|url=https://www.dfb.de/dfb-pokal/spieltag/?spieledb_path=%2Fmatches%2F2311419|title=1. FC Düren 0:3 Bayern München|publisher=German Football Association|language=de|date=15 October 2020|access-date=16 October 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sport.de/news/ne4207287/fc-bayern-die-muenchner-ahnen-jetzt-was-sie-bekommen/|title=Wie schlugen sich die Neuen des FC Bayern?|trans-title=How did FC Bayern new faces fare?|publisher=Sport.de|first=Torben|last=Siemer|language=de|date=16 October 2020|access-date=4 November 2020}} He appeared in his first Bundesliga match later that month, coming on as an injury-time substitute for Serge Gnabry in the 2–1 away victory over 1. FC Köln.{{cite web|url=https://www.kicker.de/koeln-gegen-bayern-2020-bundesliga-4667108/analyse|title=Müller bringt Bayerns Arbeitssieg auf den Weg|trans-title=Müller gets hard-fought win for Bayern going|publisher=Kicker|language=de|date=31 October 2020|access-date=4 November 2020}}
Roca played his first-ever game in the UEFA Champions League on 25 November 2020, starting and being sent off for two bookable offences midway through the second half on an eventual 3–1 group stage win against FC Red Bull Salzburg.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55077822|title=Bayern Munich 3–1 FC Red Bull Salzburg|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 November 2020|access-date=25 November 2020}} He totalled only 11 appearances in his first season.{{cite news|url=https://www.diariodesevilla.es/realbetis/Betis-apunta-Marc-Roca_0_1628539165.html|title=El Betis apunta a Marc Roca|trans-title=Betis targetting Marc Roca|newspaper=Diario de Sevilla|first=Samuel|last=Silva|language=es|date=13 November 2021|access-date=25 April 2022}}
Roca featured slightly more in 2021–22 as his team won the league again, but was once again a fringe first-team player.{{cite news|url=https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/bundesliga/marc-roca-busca-salida-bayern-13686343|title=Marc Roca busca una salida del Bayern|trans-title=Marc Roca looking for way out of Bayern|newspaper=Sport|language=es|date=20 May 2022|access-date=23 June 2022}}
=Leeds United=
On 17 June 2022, Leeds United announced that Roca would join the club on 1 July after an agreement was reached with Bayern Munich; he agreed to a four-year contract for a reported €12,000,000 fee that could eventually rise on add-ons.{{cite web|url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/29990/bayern-munich-midfielder-marc-roca-to-join-leeds-united|title=Bayern Munich midfielder Marc Roca to join Leeds United|publisher=Leeds United F.C.|date=17 June 2022|access-date=17 June 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/cx9yj2p92zeo|title=Leeds sign Bayern Munich midfielder Roca|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 June 2022|access-date=17 June 2022}} He made his Premier League debut on 6 August, starting in a 2–1 home victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/aug/06/leeds-wolves-premier-league-match-report|title=Brenden Aaronson inspires Leeds to comeback victory over Wolves|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Will|last=Unwin|date=6 August 2022|access-date=9 August 2022}} He scored his first goal one month later, in the 5–2 away defeat to Brentford.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62697699|title=Brentford 5–2 Leeds United: Ivan Toney passes 50 goals for Bees with stunning hat-trick|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Ben|last=Miller|date=3 September 2022|access-date=4 September 2022}}
=Betis=
Roca returned to Spain in the summer of 2023, on a season-long loan at Real Betis.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66221209|title=Marc Roca: Leeds United loan midfielder to Real Betis|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 July 2023|access-date=17 July 2023}} He scored his first goal on 1 October, through a header in a 3–0 win over Valencia CF.{{cite web|url=https://www.eldesmarque.com/futbol/real-betis/20231001/la-dedicatoria-de-marc-roca-tras-su-primer-gol-con-el-betis_300109998.html|title=La dedicatoria de Marc Roca tras su primer gol con el Betis|trans-title=Marc Roca's dedication after his first goal with Betis|publisher=El Desmarque|first=Pepe|last=Jiménez|language=es|date=1 October 2023|access-date=16 May 2024}} His third came one month later, in the 12–1 away rout of amateurs CD Hernán Cortés in the opening round of the Copa del Rey.{{cite web|url=https://www.tycsports.com/espana/la-liga/real-betis-aplasto-12-1-a-un-equipo-de-la-sexta-division-de-espana-en-la-copa-del-rey-id544981.html|title=Real Betis aplastó 12–1 a un equipo de la sexta división de España en la Copa del Rey|trans-title=Real Betis crushed sixth-division team 12–1 in King's Cup|publisher=TyC Sports|language=es|date=1 November 2023|access-date=16 May 2024}}
On 28 June 2024, Roca agreed to a permanent deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/33618/marc-roca-joins-real-betis-on-permanent-deal|title=Marc Roca joins Real Betis on permanent deal|publisher=Leeds United F.C.|date=28 June 2024|access-date=28 June 2024}}
International career
On 28 December 2016, Roca made his debut for the Catalonia autonomous team, starting in a 3–3 draw against Tunisia (4–2 penalty loss).{{cite news|url=http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/futbol/catalonia-3-3-tunisia-penalty-shootout-sees-africans-claim-win-5716235|title=Catalonia impress before going down to Tunisia after penalty shootout|newspaper=Sport|date=28 December 2016|access-date=15 August 2017}} He was named in Spain's under-21 squad for the 2019 UEFA European Championship, starting the final three games of the tournament for the eventual winners including a 4–1 semi-final victory over France in which he scored.{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2843105-marc-rosa-spain-advance-to-2019-u21-euro-final-with-4-1-win-vs-france|title=Marc Roca, Spain advance to 2019 U21 Euro final with 4–1 win vs. France|publisher=Bleacher Report|first=Gill|last=Clark|date=27 June 2019|access-date=24 August 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/30/spain-germany-euro-u21-final-match-report|title=Classy Spain sink Germany to lift Euro Under-21 Championship|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Ben|last=Fisher|date=30 June 2019|access-date=24 August 2019}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 16 February 2025}}{{Soccerway|id=363679}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan=2|Club !rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|National cup{{efn|Includes Copa del Rey, DFB-Pokal, FA Cup}} !colspan=2|League cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup}} !colspan=2|Europe !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan=4|Espanyol B
|11 | 1 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 11 | 1 | |||||
| 2015–16
|Segunda División B |34 | 3 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 34 | 3 | |||||
| 2016–17
|Segunda División B |6 | 2 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 6 | 2 | |||||
| colspan=2|Total
!51||6||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||51||6 | ||||||||||||
| rowspan=6|Espanyol
|25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 26 | 0 | ||||
| 2017–18
|La Liga |8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 9 | 0 | ||||
| 2018–19
|La Liga |35 | 1 | 5 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 40 | 1 | ||||
| 2019–20
|La Liga |35 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 8{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | colspan=2|— | 44 | 2 | |||
| 2020–21
|2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 2 | 0 | ||||
| colspan=2|Total
!105||3||8||0||colspan=2|—||8||0||colspan=2|—||121||3 | ||||||||||||
| rowspan=3|Bayern Munich
|6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 2{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}} | 0 | 1{{efn|name=CWC|Appearance in FIFA Club World Cup}} | 0 | 11 | 0 | ||
| 2021–22
|Bundesliga |9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 4{{efn|name=UCL}} | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 0 | ||
| Leeds United
|32 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 36 | 1 | |||
| Betis (loan)
|La Liga |26 | 2 | 3 | 1 | colspan=2|— | 8{{efn|Six appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League, two appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League}} | 1 | colspan=2|— | 37 | 4 | |||
| rowspan=2|Betis
|La Liga |14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 3{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Conference League}} | 0 | colspan=2|— | 17 | 2 | |||
| colspan=2|Total
!40||4||3||1||colspan=2|—||11||1||colspan=2|—||54||6 | ||||||||||||
| colspan=3|Career total
!243||14||16||1||1||0||25||1||1||0||286||16 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Espanyol
- Segunda División: 2020–21{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2021/05/10/segunda/1620641033_323277.html|title=Día Internacional de Marc Roca|trans-title=Marc Roca International Day|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Iván|last=Molero|language=es|date=10 May 2021|access-date=8 June 2021}}
Bayern Munich
- Bundesliga: 2020–21,{{cite web|url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/bayern-munich-crowned-german-champions-2020-21-lewandowski-flick-davies-15756|title=Bayern Munich crowned Bundesliga champions|publisher=Bundesliga|date=8 May 2021|access-date=8 May 2021}} 2021–22
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2020{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/report?gameId=592910|title=Bayern Munich beat Tigres to win Club World Cup|publisher=ESPN|date=11 February 2021|access-date=11 February 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/amp/pavard-completes-sextuple-for-dominant-bayern|title=Pavard completes sextuple for dominant Bayern|publisher=FIFA|date=11 February 2021|access-date=13 February 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211201846/https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/amp/pavard-completes-sextuple-for-dominant-bayern|archive-date=11 February 2021}}
Spain U21
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{BDFutbol|23013}}
- {{Futbolme profile|27420}}
{{Real Betis squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Roca, Marc}}
Category:People from Vilafranca del Penedès
Category:21st-century Spanish sportsmen
Category:Spanish men's footballers
Category:Footballers from the Province of Barcelona
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Segunda División players
Category:Segunda División B players
Category:RCD Espanyol B footballers
Category:RCD Espanyol footballers
Category:FC Bayern Munich footballers
Category:Premier League players
Category:Leeds United F.C. players
Category:Spain men's youth international footballers
Category:Spain men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Catalonia men's international footballers
Category:Spanish expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England