An introvert, slow in the eyes of English critics, glorious in the eyes of some, master tactician in the eyes of others. His pace maybe slow compared to other midfielders. He recently claimed he doesn't care about Villarreal anymore, and is happy to be back home @ Boca Juniors - adorning the infamous but legendary #10 jersey.
"Riquelme if he played in Brazil or was more open to marketing - would have been called Riquelminho, and would've been #1" - Jose Pekerman.
History will be written, yet again. Wait and see. -- February 23, 2007
And now history is close to being re-written. Allegedly Alfio 'Coco' Basile the coach of the Argentine National Team has been in touch with Riquelme, who not too surprisingly wants to come back to the national team for the Copa America. He has been in scintillating form this season for Boca Juniors. A few goals of his are reminiscent of his original playing days at Boca followed by his celebration - hands to his ears running on the side of the pitch.Many don't understand Riquelme or his game. He is equally hated and loved. The number 10 shirt is a huge responsibility and I believe after Maradona, Riquelme is the only one who has upheld the shirt - to an extent. Where Ortega failed, Riquelme shone. Where Aimar failed Riquelme outclassed. Where D'Allesandro failed, Riquelme accomplished. Yet he doesn't have the pace of the mentioned attacking midfielders. What he does do is majestically dictate play. He is Zinedine Zidane. When players don't know what to do with the ball - they simple give the ball to Riquelme, and the lazy magician conjures something up. He is the fulcrum, the axis to a team and cannot play any supporting roles.
His comeback if it does happen - Riquelme might be the only other #10 from Boca to win a major title with Argentina - The Copa America 2007.
1 comment:
Dear Ajay...please provide comments link on your posts. I loved the post "My first". Icould relate to the story youve written...arent we all? I am sure each one of us who are true fans of this sport. If I have one regret in my life for not trying to become- it could be that i never tried to play as much (I am not too much of a sport person) football back in school. But still growing up in a small time village in Kerala, it was hard to avoid a friends call to kick the ball barefooted on a school break. I loved that, and probably the only time I felt i should really focus more on my stamina and physical strength( I was quite asthmatic back then). But there is one thing I learned from this game...that of tolerance, fighting spirit, beauty, rhythm all that I cherished being someone with a creative mind(I am a designer...kind of achieved that skill over the time however;)
You are spot on on Juan Roman riquelme and Carlitos on your posts--to me together they represent what is football/what is life to me all about.
Bytheway are you still in bangalore? I am working in Bangalore too...
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