{{short description|Sport newspaper}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}} {{Infobox newspaper | name = Marca | logo = Marca.svg | image = Marca-28-12-2025.png | image_size = 200px | caption = Cover of the 28 December 2025 issue | type = Sports daily newspaper | format = Tabloid | owners = | publisher = Unidad Editorial | editor = Juan Ignacio Gallardo | chief_editor = | managing_editor = | news_editor = | campus_editor = | campus_chief = | opinion_editor = | photo_editor = | staff_writers = | founded = {{Start date and age|1938|12|21|df=yes}} | political_position = | language = Spanish and English | ceased_publication = | headquarters = Avenida de San Luis 25, Madrid, Spain | ISSN = 2340-0595 | oclc = 472455028 | website = {{URL|marca.com}} }}
'''''Marca''''' ({{IPA|es|ˈmaɾka}}) is a Spanish national daily tabloid sport newspaper owned by Unidad Editorial. The newspaper focuses primarily on football, in particular the day-to-day activities of Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid. It has a daily readership of over 2.5 million, the highest in Spain for a daily newspaper, and more than half of Spain's total sports readership, as of 2007.<ref>[http://www.aimc.es/aimc.php?izq=egm.swf&pag_html=si&op=cuatro&dch=02egm/24.html AIMC]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027150528/http://www.aimc.es/aimc.php?izq=egm.swf&pag_html=si&op=cuatro&dch=02egm%2F24.html |date=27 October 2007 }}</ref>
Since February 2001, there has also been an association 24-hour/day sports radio station, {{ill|Radio Marca|es}}. In 2010, the TV channel MARCA TV was launched, before being closed in 2013.
==History and profile== ''Marca'' was founded on 21 December 1938, at the height of the Spanish Civil War, in nationalist-held San Sebastián. Its founding editor was Manuel Fernández Cuesta, uncle of businessman Nemesio Fernández-Cuesta.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nemesio Fernández-Cuesta e Illana|url=https://dbe.rah.es/biografias/25219/nemesio-fernandez-cuesta-e-illana|publisher=Real Academia de la Historia|access-date=11 March 2022|language=Spanish|archive-date=11 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311043349/https://dbe.rah.es/biografias/25219/nemesio-fernandez-cuesta-e-illana|url-status=live}}</ref> On 3 September 1987 Luis Infante became the editor of the paper.<ref name=franal/>
Punto Editorial SA was the owner of ''Marca''.<ref>{{cite journal |last=de Mateo |first=Rosario |date=1989 |title=The Evolution of the Newspaper Industry in Spain, 1939-87 |url=https://doi.org/10.1177/0267323189004002006 |journal=European Journal of Communication |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=211–226 |doi=10.1177/0267323189004002006 |s2cid=220417350 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In 1984 Espacio Editorial, which would be later called Recoletos, acquired the paper.<ref name="franal">{{cite journal |last1=Pérez‐Latre |first1=Francisco J. |last2=Sánchez-Tabernero |first2=Alfonso |author2-link=Alfonso Sánchez-Tabernero |date=2003 |title=Leadership, an essential requirement for effecting change in media companies: An analysis of the Spanish market |journal=International Journal on Media Management |volume=5 |issue=3 |pages=199–208 |doi=10.1080/14241270309390035 |hdl=10171/13820 |s2cid=168023365 |hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref name="dav">{{cite journal |last1=Castelló |first1=Enric |last2=Domingo |first2=David |date=2005 |title=Spanish media facing new media: a challenge to journalists? |url=https://doi.org/10.1386/ijis.18.3.181_1 |journal=International Journal of Iberian Studies |volume=18 |issue=3 |pages=181–200 |doi=10.1386/ijis.18.3.181_1 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The company merged with Unedisa in 2007 to found Unidad Editorial, which is the owner of ''Marca''.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bonafont |first1=Laura Chaqués |last2=Baumgartner |first2=Frank R. |date=April 2013 |title=Newspaper attention and policy activities in Spain |journal=Journal of Public Policy |volume=33 |issue=1 |pages=65–88 |doi=10.1017/S0143814X12000219 |hdl=2445/49364 |hdl-access=free}}</ref>
The publisher of the paper is also Unidad Editorial and the sister newspapers are ''El Mundo'' and ''Expansión''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Daily Press|url=http://www.unidadeditorial.com/publicidad/MediaBook/sumario%202013%20en.pdf|publisher=Unidad Editorial|access-date=31 January 2015|date=December 2013|archive-date=2 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140402064352/http://www.unidadeditorial.com/publicidad/MediaBook/sumario%202013%20en.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Marca'' is published in tabloid format.<ref name=adsm/>
On 25 November 1942, it ceased being published as a weekly publication and has been published as a daily ever since. The daily was awarded the World's Best Designed Newspaper for 2004 by the Society for News Design (SND).<ref>{{cite web|title=World's Best-Designed winners|url=http://www.snd.org/competitions/print/worlds-best-designed/|work=Society for News Design|access-date=6 October 2013|date=23 February 2011|archive-date=11 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811101446/http://www.snd.org/competitions/print/worlds-best-designed/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On 21 December 2007, ''Marca'' hosted a gala event, featuring the leading Spanish sportsmen of the 20th century, to celebrate the newspaper's 70th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web |date= |title= 70th anniversary |url=http://www.marca.com/70aniversario/ |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217235903/http://www.marca.com/70aniversario/ |archive-date= 17 December 2008 |access-date= 25 August 2025 |work=Marca }}</ref>
The paper was involved in a dispute with Sir Alex Ferguson from the summer of 2008 when he accused ''Marca'' of being Real Madrid's "vehicle to unsettle players".<ref>{{cite web |last= Hunter |first= Andy |date= 24 May 2008 |title= Ferguson confronts Real over lack of morality and vows Ronaldo will stay |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/may/24/premierleague.manchesterunited |publisher= The Guardian |url-status= live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522035534/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/may/24/premierleague.manchesterunited |archive-date= 22 May 2023 |access-date= 25 August 2025 }}</ref>
In October 2012, ''Marca'' announced launching the Spanish edition of the video games media outlet IGN, effectively replacing their own MARCA Player gaming news website. ''Marca'' also planned to launch another Spanish edition of IGN for Spanish-speakers in Latin America.<ref>{{cite web |last= Sanz |first=David |date=9 October 2012 |title=Bienvenidos a IGN España |url=http://es.ign.com/static/122/Bienvenidos-a-IGN-Espa-a |language=es |publisher=IGN Spain |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212171158/http://es.ign.com/static/122/Bienvenidos-a-IGN-Espa-a |archive-date=12 December 2013 |access-date= 25 August 2025 }}</ref>
In 2001 ''Marca'' sold 403,000 copies.<ref name=adsm>{{cite news |last= Smith |first=Adam |date=15 November 2002 |title=Europe's Top Papers |url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/news/164161/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313014847/https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/european-newspapers-europes-top-papers/164161 |archive-date=13 March 2020 |access-date= 25 August 2025 |work=campaign }}</ref> Its circulation was 382,000 copies in 2003, making it the second-best-selling newspaper in the country.<ref>{{cite web|title=World Press Trends|url=http://www.wan-press.org/ecrire/upload/wpt2004.pdf|publisher=World Association of Newspapers|access-date=15 February 2015|location=Paris|date=2004|archive-date=8 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208082604/http://www.wan-press.org/ecrire/upload/wpt2004.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 6 November 2019, ''Marca'' signed a collaboration deal with Planeta Wrestling, the number one wrestling website in Spain.<ref>{{Cite web |last= Pérez |first=Miguel |date=6 November 2019 |title=Marca y Planeta Wrestling alcanzan un acuerdo de colaboración |url=https://www.planetawrestling.com/marca-y-planeta-wrestling-alcanzan-un-acuerdo-de-colaboracion/ |website=Planeta Wrestling |language=es |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106222856/https://www.planetawrestling.com/marca-y-planeta-wrestling-alcanzan-un-acuerdo-de-colaboracion/ |archive-date=6 November 2019 |access-date= 25 August 2025 }}</ref>
==Awards== The following awards are awarded by ''Marca'' at the end of each season: * Pichichi<ref name="awards2019">{{cite news |date=16 December 2019 |title=The Marca 2019 football awards: Messi collects sixth Pichichi |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/2019/12/16/5df79e0d22601de02c8b462f.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217034101/https://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/2019/12/16/5df79e0d22601de02c8b462f.html |archive-date=17 December 2019 |access-date=17 December 2019 |work=Marca }}</ref> – To the top goalscorer in La Liga as well as to the top goalscorer in Segunda División * Zarra<ref name="awards2019"/> – To the top goalscorer among Spanish nationals in La Liga as well as to the top goalscorer among Spanish nationals in Segunda División * Zamora<ref name="awards2019"/> – To the best goalkeeper in La Liga as well as to the best goalkeeper in Segunda División * Miguel Muñoz<ref name="awards2019"/> – To the best head coach in La Liga as well as to the best head coach in Segunda División * Guruceta – To the best referee in La Liga as well as to the best referee in Segunda División * Di Stefano<ref name="awards2019"/> – To the best player in La Liga Deportiva * Golden Goal<ref name="awards2019"/> – For the goal of the season
The below awards are awarded by ''Marca'' at no specific time:
* Marca Legend Award (Marca Leyenda) – To the best professional athletes in history<ref>{{Cite news |title=Marca Leyenda |url=http://www.marca.com/marca-leyenda.html |language=es |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717072614/http://www.marca.com/marca-leyenda.html |archive-date=17 July 2018 |access-date= 25 August 2025 |work=Marca }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= Castro |first= Juan |date= 3 April 2018 |title=Hugo Sánchez, nuevo MARCA Leyenda |url=http://www.marca.com/claro-mx/futbol/2018/04/03/5ac3af59e2704e86268b4615.html |language=es-MX |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717070714/http://www.marca.com/claro-mx/futbol/2018/04/03/5ac3af59e2704e86268b4615.html |archive-date=17 July 2018 |access-date= 25 August 2025 |work=Marca Claro México }}</ref> * Best Football Player of All Time – awarded to Argentine Lionel Messi via an online poll voted by the readers of Marca.com<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 June 2014 |title=Real Madrid: Messi and Cristiano on the all-time podium of football |url=http://www.marca.com/en/2014/11/06/en/football/real_madrid/1415311882.html |website= Marca.com (English version) |language=en |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630232855/https://www.marca.com/en/2014/11/06/en/football/real_madrid/1415311882.html |archive-date=30 June 2023 |access-date= 25 August 2025}}</ref> * Marca America Award – a special award given to Lionel Messi as recognition for being the player with the most titles in football history<ref>{{cite web |last= Castro |first= Juan |date=16 October 2024 |title=Messi receives award from MARCA for being the player with the most titles in history |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/mls/2024/10/16/671019daca4741d67e8b45b1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241129200738/https://www.marca.com/en/football/mls/2024/10/16/671019daca4741d67e8b45b1.html |archive-date=29 November 2024 |access-date= 25 August 2025 |work=Marca }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last= Hepburn |first= Daniel |date=17 October 2024 |title=Marca Rank 6 Greatest Players of All Time & Reveal Football's GOAT |url=https://www.givemesport.com/marca-rank-six-greatest-players-all-time-and-name-football-goat/ |website=GiveMeSport.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241117002552/https://www.givemesport.com/marca-rank-six-greatest-players-all-time-and-name-football-goat/ |archive-date=17 November 2024 |access-date= 25 August 2025 }}</ref>
==Editors== thumb|Juan Ignacio Gallardo, ''Marca''{{'}}s editor since 2016 * Manuel Fernández-Cuesta (1938–1945) * Ibrahim de Malcervelli (1945–1946) * Manuel Casanova (1946–1947) * Lucio del Álamo (1947–1954) * Nemesio Fernández-Cuesta (1954–1973) * Carmelo Martinez (1973–1983) * Valentín Martín (1983–1984) * Juan Pablo de Villanueva (1984–1986) * Jesús Ramos (1986–1987) * Luis Infante Bravo (1987–1997) * Manuel Saucedo (1997–2001) * Elías Israel (2001–2005) * Manuel Saucedo (2005–2006) * Alejandro Sopeña (2006–2007) * Eduardo Inda (2007–2011) * Óscar Campillo (2011–2016) * Juan Ignacio Gallardo (since 2016)
==''Marca Player''== In 2008, the video game magazine ''Marca Player'' was launched by Unidad Editorial, publisher of ''Marca''.<ref name=vandal>{{cite web |last= González |first= José Manuel |date=28 September 2012 |title=Historia de las revistas de juegos en España |url=http://www.vandal.net/reportaje/historia-de-las-revistas-de-juegos-en-espana |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430102158/http://www.vandal.net/reportaje/historia-de-las-revistas-de-juegos-en-espana |archive-date=30 April 2013 |access-date= 24 August 2025 |language=es |work=Vandal }}</ref> It was originally planned to run under the name ''Tilt''.<ref name="prensa">{{cite book |last=David |first=Martínez |title=De MicroHobby a Youtube: Prensa de videojuegos en España |date=12 July 2016 |publisher=Dolmen Editorial |isbn=978-8416436651 |pages=140–142 |language=es |section=''Edge'', ''Games TM'' y ''Marca Player'' |oclc=962503626}}</ref> The publication was helmed by David Sanz of Spain's ''Official Xbox Magazine'',<ref name=vandal/><ref name=prensa/> which had recently closed.<ref name=prensa/> ''Marca Player'' was dedicated to multiplatform game coverage, news and reviews.<ref name=vandal/> Its first issue debuted with a circulation of 125,000 copies,<ref name=publicista>{{cite web |date=10 September 2008 |title='Marca Player', la nueva revista de videojuegos de Unidad Editorial |url=https://www.elpublicista.es/medios/marca-player-nueva-revista-videojuegos-unidad-editorial |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030203344/https://www.elpublicista.es/medios/marca-player-nueva-revista-videojuegos-unidad-editorial |archive-date=30 October 2019 |access-date= 24 August 2025 |work=El Publicista |language=es }}</ref> and José Manuel González of ''Vandal'' wrote that it "had a very good start thanks to a very affordable price of 1.9 euros". However, he stated that the magazine failed to capture long-term market share, unlike sister publications such as ''MarcaMotor''.<ref name=vandal/> ''Marca Player'' lasted for 46 issues; its final issue appeared in July 2012.<ref name=prensa/> After the closure, much of ''Marca Player''{{'}}s former staff was reorganized to launch ''IGN España'', a collaborative venture between ''IGN'' and Unidad Editorial.<ref name=ignespana>{{cite web |date=10 October 2012 |title=IGN y Unidad Editorial lanzan un gran sitio web especializado en videojuegos |url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2012/10/10/comunicacion/1349857851.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120063019/https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2012/10/10/comunicacion/1349857851.html |archive-date=20 November 2015 |access-date= 24 August 2025 |language=es |work=El Mundo }}</ref>
==See also== * MARCA TV * Radio Marca * Facebook Football Awards
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
==Further reading== * {{cite book |last=Toro |first=Carlos |title= La Historia de Marca |trans-title=The History of Marca |location=Madrid |year=2008 |isbn= 978-84-9734-723-5 |language=es |page=424 |publisher=La Esfera de los Libros |oclc=548607412}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *{{official website|https://www.marca.com}} {{in lang|es}} *[https://www.marca.com/en/ Official English website] *[https://www.marca.com/radio.html Radio MARCA website] {{in lang|es}}
{{Spain newspapers}} {{Authority control}}
Category:1938 establishments in Spain Category:Newspapers published in Madrid Marca Marca Category:Newspapers established in 1938 Category:Spanish sport websites Category:Sports newspapers Category:Sports mass media in Spain