Football
Riquelme still has it in the leg! Argentine legend shines in friendly against Spanish icons
Juan Román Riquelme. A name that may not be well known to the youth, but for football romantics, an unquestionable and underrated legend. The former Argentine footballer showed on Saturday that he has lost none of his flair even years after his career ended.
Juan Román Riquelme. A name that may not be well known to the youth, but for football romantics, an unquestionable and underrated legend. The former Argentine footballer showed on Saturday that he has lost none of his flair even years after his career ended.
The offspring of Argentine big club Boca Juniors has linked most of his career with the aforementioned club. He spent the most years and the most seasons there and today he is the club’s vice-president.
However, he also showed his class in Europe for a while. In 2002, the famous Barcelona didn’t hesitate to pay 11 million euros for him, believing that Juan Román Riquelme could be the driving force for the next few years.
But under Louis van Gaal’s leadership, the technically gifted offensive midfielder languished, they didn’t click and after just one year he left for Villarreal. Initially on loan. It was immediately clear that Riquelme was a player of immense quality.
He scored goals, passed the ball, created chances for his teammates and did very well. He showed that he can shine in Europe too. But in February 2007 he returned to his native Argentina and joined his beloved Boca Juniors.
Villarreal fans remember him only fondly, however, as he scored 45 goals in their jersey, to which he also added assists. However, the world under-20 champion and Olympic gold medallist returned to the Spanish city on Saturday to take part in a friendly match of legends.
He played in the team of the legends of Villarreal, the opponents were the legends of Spain for a change. Players such as Diego Forlán, Roberto Pires, Marcos Senna, Juanfran, Fernando Morientes and Joan Capdevila were on the same pitch.
Riquelme left a great impression. At 44 years old, he has lost virtually none of his skills. At most, speed. His vision of football and creativity, however, remain at a high level, as evidenced by some of the penetrating passes he made to his teammates.
Source: Villarreal CF, Twitter, Transfermarkt
