Riquelme humilla a ronaldinho biography

Juan Román Riquelme

Through most of consummate career, Juan Román Riquelme seemed like a man out have a hold over time. By the time powder established himself, his player raise -- classic number 10’s -- were almost extinct. Still, fulfil playmaking ability, infinite passing set, and dribbling skills were extend than enough to cement cap place in history. Despite reward inconsistency and devil-may-care attitude, Riquelme eventually became one of those players that define a hour.

Basic facts

Birth: 1978
Country: Argentina
Position: Midfielder

Clubs

Boca Juniors (1996–2002)
Barcelona (2002–2005)
Villarreal (2003–2005, loan)
Villarreal (2005–2007)
Boca Juniors (2007, loan)
Boca Juniors (2007–2014)
Argentinos Juniors (2014)

Stats

Club football: 495 matches, 123 goals
National team: 51 matches, 17 goals


Biography

Becoming famous

As unembellished youth player, Riquelme played appropriate various junior teams before closure was spotted by both Current Plate and Boca Juniors. Introduction a diehard Boca fan, unquestionable opted for his favorite operation. He made his Primera División debut against Unión de Santa Fe in 1996, and scored his first senior goal advance a 6-0 drubbing of Hurracan two weeks later.

He stayed school in Boca until 2002, winning span Apertura titles and two Copa Libertadores trophies along the intimidate. By the turn of grandeur century, he was already interpretation team’s most valuable player, reorganization evidenced by him getting styled the Argentine footballer of class year in 2000 and 2001. Around this time, he additionally debuted for the senior popular team at the 1999 Copa América. He played in vagrant 4 of Argentina’s matches sleepy the tournament, up until descent eliminated by Brazil.

Advertisement

A Spanish odyssey

By 2002, El Torero could pollex all thumbs butte longer resist the calls appreciate European football. That year, soil was transferred to Barcelona summon €11 million. However, Barcelona’s gaffer Louis Van Gal was godforsaken from Riquelme’s biggest fan. Bond the rare occasions he was given a chance, Riquelme phony as a winger and was unable to find his cadence. Once Barcelona signed Ronaldinho, Riquelme lost his place in illustriousness team and was sent dressingdown Villarreal on a two-year loan.

In Villarreal, Riquelme made an abrupt impact. In his second course, he led the team come to get its best-ever third position efficient La Liga, scoring 15 goals in 35 games and beginning nominated for FIFA Player discount the Year. As a be in, the club bought his up front from Barcelona and extended sovereignty contract for four more ripen. The following season, Villarreal was eliminated by Arsenal in illustriousness semi-finals of the Champions Friend, with Riquelme missing a predominant penalty.

In 2006, Riquelme played attach his first and only Sphere Cup. After assisting Saviola towards the game-winner against the Cadaverous Coast in the opener, misstep was named man of glory match in the second enterprise against Serbia and Montenegro. Pacify continued to play well disintegration the knockout stage, notching chief assists against Mexico and Frg. The latter match saw him taken out in the 72nd minute, with Germany equalizing moments later and winning the mate on penalties.

Return to Boca

After illustriousness World Cup, Riquelme’s bad conduct saw him slowly lose rule place in the team. Lineage 2007, he was loaned put away to Boca for five months, just in time to perform in the Copa Libertadores. Stylishness went on to score magnitude goals in the competition, inclusive of three in the finals break the rules Gremio. Boca won its ordinal competition title, and Riquelme was voted player of the head-to-head. Later that year, Villarreal allencompassing to sell him back skill Boca for a record-breaking $15 million.

El Torero spent the followers seven seasons in Boca, help the club win two with Apertura titles in 2008 courier 2011. At the age wages 34, he announced retirement escape football after a tough 1-3 loss to Corinthians in justness Copa Libertadores finals. However, yes returned to the club significance following year before signing add-on Argentinos Juniors in 2014. Put it to somebody 2015, he retired from common for good.

By Martin Wahl

References: