What next for Riquelme?
Villarreal have not given him a single minute of action this season. Argentina have fielded him in all three of the World Cup qualifiers so far and he has responded with four goals, three of them from sublime free kicks.
Few players divide opinions as deeply as enigmatic midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme. At his best, he is an elegant playmaker (enganche) in the best South American tradition. At his worst he is a ponderous passenger. And to deepen the dilemma, Riquelme seems incapable of playing a supporting role in any team: either you build the side around him or you leave him out altogether.
Villarreal, tired of what they say are his excessive privileges and lack of commitment, have taken the latter view and shunted him into the reserves.
Argentina coach Alfio Basile, who with his slick-backed hair and gravelly voice appears to have walked out of a 1950s tango club, is something of an old romantic and continues to make Riquelme the centrepiece of his team.
Basile admits he has put his reputation on the line in doing so but so far it has paid off and Argentina are the only team to have taken maximum points from their opening three games in the South American group.
Yet, Riquelme has already let his country down by doing his famous disappearing act when they needed him most. He was anonymous when they lost to Germany in last year’s World Cup quarter-final and was muscled out of the game by the physical Brazilians in the Copa America final in July, when Argentina lost 3-0.
Villarreal are still paying Riquelme’s wages and are keen to offload him at the earliest opportunity. Would you want him in your team?
PHOTO: Riquelme celebrates after scoring Argentina’s second goal against Bolivia in their 2010 World Cup qualifier at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, November 17, 2007. REUTERS/Santiago Pandolfi
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Riquelme plays some of the best footbal the game and to say things like that is wrong! Would I want him in my team (Liverpool) of course but on the right wing instead of kuyt. He really is a fantastic player despite his age. On matchday id have him any day of the week against any club, hes like Ronaldo without the pettiness or diving. His free kicks are just as good he has the same skill level but ok he does carry what he calls “injuries” in training and hes not as quick as some of the younger players and one day he could captain Argentina before he retires!
- Posted by Jamie DavisonEveryone who loves this game, wants Riquelme in his team. Brian, your arguments againts him are polemic rubbish. He played a fantastic Copa Americana. To reduce this on the final against Brasil - that´s ridiculous.
- Posted by GiovanniRiquelme for the last 3 years has been my favorite player on the planet, his ability to read the game and dictate it to how he wants is uncomparable, the likes of kaka c.ronaldo and ronaldinho are all amazing players but to have a football mastermind backed up with supreme technichal ability gives him a whole new dimension and the cutting edge that convinces me he’s worth the risk, base the team round him and he can work wonders, he has proven this time after time, the downfall with Riquelme is his antics off the pitch, villareal werent happy with his “injuries” and he didnt show for training on numerous occassions, but when matchday comes i’d prefer him on my team than to be playing against him
- Posted by BeardAccording to the Eurosport website tonight Buenos Aires have agreed a deal with current club Villareal for Riquelme.
- Posted by Free Bet ManThere are no numbers yet published but I’m guessing that the price will be somewhat less than it would have been before the start of the season.
In my opinion however certain clubs have dodged a bullet with this guy, he certainly is not a team player off the field and a team such as Arsenal who are built around ‘team players’ could well have become unstable if this guy had put pen to paper.
He is one of the briliant footballer in the world because his magical skills due to the Fact that soccer has turn into intertainment and not scoring goals and playing soccer like rugby. Riquelme combined with Cesc Fabregas,Tomas Rosy,and Hleb you have can have all meals in the magical arena; ARSENAL BY VIRTUE.
- Posted by john otienoHe needs to go to another club top player on the bench, thats like messi or adriano being on the bench, hes class, villareal are hardly in a position to put him on the bench it is arogance that shud be rewarded by him leaving
- Posted by Danny Dyer