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Boca Juniors' Juan Roman Riquelme: I would love to play alongside Lionel Messi with Argentina
Frozen out of the Albiceleste since 2009, the veteran playmaker still believes that he can work magic alongside the Barcelona phenomenon
Dec 29, 2011 9:32:00 AM
By Daniel Edwards
Boca Juniors star Juan Roman Riquelme has revealed his desire to return to the Argentina national team, stating that playing with Lionel Messi would be a prime motivation for a comeback.
The No. 10 has not appeared for the Seleccion since 2009 when he fell out with coach Diego Maradona, but current manager Alejandro Sabella stated he would consider picking him once more.
And speaking on Thursday Riquelme asserted that playing with Messi, his companion in Argentina's winning 2008 Olympic Games campaign, was all the motivation he needed to return to international duty.
"I want to enjoy playing again with Messi and help Argentina qualify for the World Cup," the 33-year-old told Radio del Plata.
"Argentina have the best player in the world and the thought of playing alongside him is a dream of mine."
Riquelme missed a significant portion of Boca's 2011 Apertura championship due to a knee complaint, but affirmed that he was now recovered and looking forward to fighting for the Copa Libertadores in the coming year. He also referred to an alleged dispute over bonuses concerning the club's title, saying that the money was irrelevant to him.
"We are champions, we are happy and I have learnt that in football you have to play, not talk about money," he insisted.
"Boca must keep improving to fight for the Libertadores, because there was not much more we could give [in the Apertura]."
The Apertura was Riquelme's 10th title in Boca colours and the fourth obtained since his return to the Bombonera from Villarreal in 2007.
The No. 10 has not appeared for the Seleccion since 2009 when he fell out with coach Diego Maradona, but current manager Alejandro Sabella stated he would consider picking him once more.
And speaking on Thursday Riquelme asserted that playing with Messi, his companion in Argentina's winning 2008 Olympic Games campaign, was all the motivation he needed to return to international duty.
"I want to enjoy playing again with Messi and help Argentina qualify for the World Cup," the 33-year-old told Radio del Plata.
"Argentina have the best player in the world and the thought of playing alongside him is a dream of mine."
Riquelme missed a significant portion of Boca's 2011 Apertura championship due to a knee complaint, but affirmed that he was now recovered and looking forward to fighting for the Copa Libertadores in the coming year. He also referred to an alleged dispute over bonuses concerning the club's title, saying that the money was irrelevant to him.
"We are champions, we are happy and I have learnt that in football you have to play, not talk about money," he insisted.
"Boca must keep improving to fight for the Libertadores, because there was not much more we could give [in the Apertura]."
The Apertura was Riquelme's 10th title in Boca colours and the fourth obtained since his return to the Bombonera from Villarreal in 2007.
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