He is one of the most cult heroes in football history: Who is Juan Roman Riquelme?
If you were to make a list of the most charismatic football players seen on green fields, Juan Roman Riquelme would be the first name you would put at the top, everyone who watches him knows this. He was the eldest son of a poor family, born by starlight.
He had 11 siblings and was a born leader. Roman had the upper hand in his family and neighborhood. It did not take long for world football to recognize him.
One day before Argentina won the 1978 World Cup, Juan Roman Riquelme woke up. His birth was like a spiritual sign that came before Argentina lifted the cup.
His father was a gang member and was aware of his son's talent at a very early age. He took his son to matches in the neighborhood and made bets. They were making a small amount of money for everyone but a significant amount of money for their families.
Juan Román Riquelme (born 24 June 1978) is an Argentine former professional footballer and current president of Boca Juniors, the club where he spent the majority of his playing career. He is considered by various journalists, players and coaches as one of the greatest playmakers of all time.
He had a simple talent that fascinated audiences in all lower age categories. Yes, he wasn't very fast, but his vision of the game was incredibly flawless. Even his coaches were letting him go on the field instead of giving him instructions.
In 1996, he was transferred from Argentinos Juniors to Boca Juniors for 550 thousand dollars. It didn't take long for him to make it to the first team. He appeared on the field as Maradona's heir apparent and became the new superstar of the Argentines.
His aura on the field was incredible. Even at the most critical moments, his facial expressions did not move. He won 2 consecutive Copa Libertadores, 3 Argentine championships, and 1 Intercontinental Cup championship. He was almost deified in Boca.
What pushed him to leave Boca Juniors and move away a little bit was the kidnapping of his brother in 2002 and the ransom demand. It was now time for Riquelme to leave Argentina.
He was transferred to Barcelona in 2002, but there was a problem. He was a management transfer and Luis van Gaal didn't want him. He found Riquelme slow and said that he did not comply with the game tactics. He mostly did not play, and in the matches he did play, he played on the wing.
Pure talent was catching the pass between disciplined and solid hands. Riquelme wanted to play. He was loaned to Villarreal amid rumors that Ronaldinho would come to Barcelona.
Villarreal was good for Riquelme, and Riquelme was good for Villarreal. The Spanish team finished the league with the best record in history (3rd place). In 2006, they reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Arsenal won the first match 1-0 at home. In the rematch, Villarreal won a penalty kick in the 90th minute and Riquelme took charge of the ball.
Riquelme could not send the ball into the net... If that ball had been a goal, the match would have been prolonged and perhaps they would have achieved the incredible and reached the Champions League final. Maybe if they had made it to the final, he would have shown the world who the boss was when he faced Ronaldinho, who was replaced by him...
It didn't happen... Later, Riquelme returned to Boca. He even took a break from football for a while and returned to the green fields. He said goodbye to football in his first club, Argentinos Juniors.
What is he doing now? He is the president of Boca Juniors. We are very happy that such a great talent is still in football.
Boca Juniors fans are happy to see the man they set as an example to their children in the presidential chair. I hope you are happy that Riquelme is involved in football.
DECEMBER 2023
The presidential election was held in Argentine giant Boca Juniors.
Former Argentine legend Juan Roman Riquelme won the election with a record number of votes.
THE SECOND PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WITH THE HIGHEST PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD
According to the news reflected in the Argentine press, 43 thousand 367 people voted in the election. It was emphasized that this figure was the second presidential election that brought together the highest number of voters worldwide, after Barcelona's presidential election, in which 57 thousand people participated.
RECORD VOTES FOR RIQUELME
It was emphasized that Juan Roman Riquelme received 63.7 percent of the votes.
On the other hand, the statement made by Boca Juniors said, "We congratulate the president who received the most votes in the history of Argentine football."