Carlos Marchena is a world class Spanish international footballer who currently features for the Spanish powerhouse Valencia. He is a versatile footballer who can play as a central defender or as a defensive midfielder.

Carlos Marchena is a Sevillista and commenced his professional career at Sevilla FC in 1997 in the Segunda Division. He was then only 18 years of age and at 20 capped his debut in La Liga against Real Sociedad in the 1999-2000 season.

After Sevilla were relegated at the end of the 1999-2000 season, Marchena was sent on loan to Portuguese giants Benfica for one year. He was then signed by Valencia in the summer of 2001 in a swap deal that involved the Slovenian great Zlatko Zahovic moving in the opposite direction(that is, to Benfica).

Marchena took his time to settle at the Mestalla but by the 2002-2003 season, he was a regular starter and played a pivotal role in the 2003-2004 season when Valencia won both the Spanish championship and the UEFA Cup. Marchena has been a regular first choice player for Los Che since then and has made over 175 appearances for the club.

Carlos Marchena is also a regular first choice for the Spanish national side and has featured for his nation at Euro 2004, 2006 Germany World Cup and Euro 2008. He has earned almost 50 international caps for Spain.