Marc Marquez on Injuries, Comeback, and Retirement: “My Arm Is No Longer What It Was”

• Marquez dominated the 2025 MotoGP World Championship with Ducati after years of injury setbacks
• Jorge Martin followed a surgeon recommendation from Marquez during his collarbone crisis and is “forever grateful”
• Mick Doohan considers Marquez’ comeback an achievement that transcends motorsport

Marc Marquez has achieved things in MotoGP that other riders cannot even aspire to. Nine world titles, six of them in the premier class, along with countless victories and records. Yet what has defined the 33-year-old Spaniard in recent years is less the pure statistics than the journey back to the top after a phase that made him doubt everything. Three current interview rounds paint a comprehensive picture of what Marquez has been through, how he supports other riders in similar situations, and how realistically he views his own career end.

Jorge Martin and the Phone Call That Changed Everything

The 2026 MotoGP season has begun with a remarkable balance of power. Jorge Martin, now under contract with Aprilia, sits second in the overall standings after the first three Grand Prix weekends behind his teammate Marco Bezzecchi. Aprilia even leads all three championships: riders’, teams’ and constructors’. That Martin is in this position at all was far from a given just a few months ago.

At the Motegi Grand Prix, the former MotoGP world champion had suffered a severe collarbone fracture. While he was declared fit in time for the season finale in Valencia, something was not right. Further examinations revealed that the injury had not healed as expected. A second surgery was scheduled for December, and Martin faced a difficult decision: which surgeon should perform the procedure?

In this uncertain phase, it was none other than Marc Marquez who picked up the phone. In an interview with Marca.com, Martin described the situation: “At a time when I was uncertain and had several surgeons as options, he advised me. He told me who he thought was the best, and I went with that choice. It went well, and I will be forever grateful for that call.”

That Marquez served as an advisor here is no coincidence. Hardly any active rider has accumulated as much experience with injuries, surgeries and rehabilitation phases as the Spaniard. What represents uncharted territory for other riders has been part of everyday life for Marquez for years.

The surgery caused Martin to miss the first preseason test in Sepang. But after that, things improved quickly. At the season opener in Buriram, he finished fourth and fifth, two podium finishes followed in Brazil, and in Austin he secured a sprint victory along with a second place in the Grand Prix. Martin thus directly benefited from Marquez’ experience in dealing with serious injuries. But just how extraordinary the path was that Marquez himself had to travel can hardly be better assessed than by a man who has lived through something similar.

Mick Doohan: “What He Did Was Legendary”

Mick Doohan, five-time 500cc world champion, suffered a severe leg injury in 1992 that nearly ended his career. He knows the long road back, the doubts, the sleepless nights. Yet the Australian sees clear differences from what Marquez has been through.

Speaking with Marca, Doohan explained that after his own injury he at least had time to recover. Marquez, on the other hand, was confronted with new problems again and again over the years. “For what Marc went through, the way he recovered from his injury is incredible,” Doohan said. It was not just about the injury itself, but about the long phase of rehabilitation and the many setbacks. “Only Marc knows how difficult that process really was.”

Doohan emphasized that the key to a successful comeback lies in the mind. Marquez managed to maintain focus even during the most difficult phases. “That shows what a true champion he is.” Doohan was particularly impressed that Marquez thought long-term even when it was clear the title was out of reach. Rather than pursuing short-term success, he consistently planned the path back to his former strength.

Doohan pulled no punches when describing the mental toll: Marquez had overcome “barriers of pain and doubt.” Self-doubt, dark phases and difficult decisions had shaped his journey. “He surely had many dark days, months and years.”

That Marquez has returned to the front of the field after all of this, Doohan sees as the logical consequence of this mental strength. Especially after switching manufacturers to Ducati, the Spaniard had shown he had lost none of his class. In his second year with the Desmosedici, he had operated “on a different level” and won the 2025 world title.

What he did was legendary, even for people who are not motorsport fans,” Doohan summarized. That is why he also considered the Spaniard’s nomination for the Laureus Award as fitting. “I would love to see him win it. From my perspective, he deserves it this year.”

Both Doohan and Martin thus acknowledge what Marquez has achieved. But how does the man himself view his body, his limitations and the question of how long he can continue racing?

“My Arm Is No Longer What It Once Was”

Marquez himself is remarkably open about his physical condition. In an interview with the podcasters from Imagin and Tengo un Plan, the nine-time world champion spoke about how the injury consequences affect his riding style and future plans.

“I doubted that I could ride fast again because I was recovering from a serious injury. I know perfectly well that my arm is no longer what it once was,” Marquez said. One of the keys to his comeback was to stop comparing his injured right side with his left. Instead, he gives 100 percent with both sides without measuring himself against a former state.

What would have happened if the switch to Ducati had not worked out? Marquez answered this question too: he would have retired if there had been no other choice. He would have found his peace with it because he had at least tried. But he would not have gone into retirement “100 percent satisfied.” The 2025 world title changed that. “Now, when the time comes, I will be able to retire in peace and satisfied, but as long as I am active, I will continue to give 100 percent.”

Contract Question and Career End

Marquez has repeatedly emphasized during the current season that he wants to continue with Ducati Lenovo beyond 2026. The sticking point in negotiations is whether it will be a one-year or two-year contract. As long as he does not feel 100 percent fit, he does not want to sign a contract.

Marquez spoke about his career end with an unusually sober tone for MotoGP standards. The moment of retirement is getting closer, he is aware of that. “I will continue as long as my body allows,” he explained. “I know that I will end my career more because of my body than because of my mind or my desire to continue.”

Martin’s Tempered Expectations Before Jerez

While Marquez weighs his long-term future, Jorge Martin’s focus is on the immediate challenge ahead. The Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez this weekend could be the toughest race of the season so far for him and Aprilia.

“Jerez will be a difficult track for me and for Aprilia,” Martin said. He has yet to record a Grand Prix finish in Jerez in any class. “We could be surprised, but I am going there with low expectations because it is not one of my favorite tracks.” His goal is a top-five finish. “If something better comes along, I will take it. If we can fight for a podium, that would be great.”

Martin described a championship title as “wishful thinking” at this point given the long season still ahead. After what he has been through in recent months, it is too early to think about the title. “Who knows? If there are two or three races left and we have the chance, we will give everything. But right now I want to take it day by day.”

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