Juan Roman Riquelme

At 45 years old, Juan Roman Riquelme has this physical status:

Juan Román Riquelme (Spanish pronunciation: [xwan ro'man rikelme]; born 24 June 1978) is an Argentine former professional footballer and current vice president of Boca Juniors, the club where he spent the majority of his playing time. Multiple journalists, players, and coaches have named him as one of Argentina's finest players of all time, as well as one of the best midfielders of his generation.

Riquelme served as a midfielder in Boca Juniors' legendary "enganche" role from 1996 to 2015, winning ten titles, including three Copa Libertadores and one Intercontinental Cup. He was transferred to FC Barcelona, Spain, in 2002, but his time with the club was short lived due to his unsteady relationship with then-head coach Louis van Gaal. Riquelme was then loaned to and later purchased by fellow La Liga club Villareal, where Riquelme would help the club win their third position league finish in the 2004-05 season and advance to the semifinals of the Champions League for the first time in the club's history in the following season.

Riquelme returned to Boca Juniors in 2007, first on loan, where he would win the Copa Libertadores for the second time, finishing as the top scorer and MVP of the tournament. His move was made permanent shortly after, and he would go on to win two more league titles and a Copa Argentina during his last stay with the club. After losing the final of the Copa Libertadores in 2012 and 2013, Riquelme announced that he would leave Boca in 2012; after spending the majority of 2012 and 2013 away from football, he returned to playing under Carlos Bianchi in February 2013 before the club president refused to renew his contract in 2014. In July 2014, he briefly signed with Argentinos Juniors before announcing his retirement from the game in January 2015.

Riquelme's national team, as well as the 1997 South American U-20 Championship and the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship in Malaysia, have achieved success at the youth level. He was given his first call up to the senior team in 1997 and 2008, scoring 17 goals and representing Argentina at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Berlin. Riquelme was also a representative of his country in the Olympics, caping the team to gold at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

In 2001, Riquelme was named Argentina's footballer of the year four times and named South American footballer of the year, as well as six times in the South American Team of the Year. In 2006 and 2007, he was one of the nominees for the FIFA World Player of the Year award, as well as in 2005 and 2007.

Personal life

Sebastián, Riquelme's brother, is a professional footballer.

Source

Club career

Riquelme was born in a poor family's eldest of 11 children just one day before Argentina won the 1978 World Cup. He started playing football in San Fernando's localities, playing for various local clubs, before being able to test with the Argentinos Juniors' junior teams. He was signed by the club where he began playing as a central midfielder after trial. When he was a youth player for Boca Juniors and River Plate, he was spotted by Boca Juniors and River Plate. Riquelme was transferred from Argentinas Juniors U-20 to Boca Juniors U-20 for a fee of US$800,000.000 in 1996, but the then president of Boca Juniors, Mauricio Macri, made several purchases of Argentinos Juniors youth players.

Riquelme, 18, made his Primera División debut against Unión de Santa Fe 2–0 on Monday. In a 6–0 victory over Huracán two weeks later, he scored his first senior goal. Riquelme made his debut in 1992 and is on a long journey to snap a line of no championships for the team after winning the Apertura tournament. Bilardo will be fired and replaced by Héctor "Bambino" Veira in the 1996-97 season, but Román will be recalled from the first team following Diego Maradona's return to Boca. Veira's season will almost end in the 1997-1998 season, and coach Carlos Bianchi will be recalled by July 1998, who will completely trust Riquelme to lead the team.

Boca, a successful trio in attack with winger Guillermo Barros Schelotto and center forward Martn Palermo, will return to the Apertura champions undefeated in 1998. Boca will make his return to the team after six years, while the 2000 version of the Copa Libertadores will also earn the team a certificate. The team will be extremely successful this season, winning the 1999 Clausura and setting a new 40-game undefeated record. For the first time, Riquelme was selected to the South American Team of the Year, with 47 games played and 10 goals scored.

Boca became America's champion once more in the 1999-00 season after defeating Palmeiras on the penalty shootout. Riquelme put on an impressive showing during the tournament, highlighting his match against River Plate in the second leg of the quarterfinals, where he scored a goal and assisted in another, and made a historic play in which he nutmegged from his back to River defender Mario Yepes. Boca's triumphs in the 2000-01 season would continue, winning the Apertura 2000 class. However, the final of the Intercontinental Cup against Real Madrid, who at the time was in the process of establishing Los Galácticos, will be the highest point of the series, according to Ballon d'Or Luis Figo. Boca beat Barcelona against all odds, and Riquelme would be one of the players involved in Martn Palermo's second goal with a 30-meter ball, and setting the pace of play in the last minutes, which Madrid's defenders Claude Makélélé and Geremi couldn't hold back. Boca did not win any local titles during 2001, but it would win again in the Copa Libertadores, defeating Mexican Cruz Azul in the finals once more on penalties. In the semifinal series, Román will have an assist in the first leg and score a goal in the second leg. Riquelme will be named the MVP of the tournament for the first time in his career, and he will also win the South American Footballer of the Year award for the first time in his career. Copa Libertadores champions lost in the Intercontinental Cup final, defeating his team by 0–1 defeat.

The closing of the 2001-02 season, Riquelme's last in Boca, would not be as fruitful as the previous ones, with Carlos Bianchi's departure in the summer of 2001 due to his differences with club President Mauricio Macri. Riquelme would also have his differences with him due to the poor pay of his service, which Riquelme will face River Plate in a match against River Plate in 2001 Clausura, where he held his hands to his ear in protest.

Riquelme was transferred to Barcelona, Spain, in July 2002, after seven successful seasons with Boca Juniors, which included the Intercontinental Cup and the Copa Libertadores. Cristian's brother was kidnapped a few weeks before his release; Riquelme fought for his brother's release and later paid the ransom, citing this as one of the reasons why he left Boca.

Riquelme was branded a "political sign" by Barcelona's owner Louis van Gaal, who treated him with indifference. When the Dutchman did play him, he did so only occasionally, deploying him as a winger. The player was thus unable to recover his form after a string of largely substitute appearances, losing his place in the first team. In the Copa del Rey's majority, he was mainly active, scoring the game's only goal in a rare UEFA Champions League debuting opportunity at Club Brugge in the group stage. In any way, Barcelona's season will be pivotal, with Van Gaal being dropped mid-season. Riquelme's situation will not change at all, as the replacement will continue.

Barcelona signed Ronaldinho, when the club outnumbering the maximum international players that Spanish teams were allowed, prompting Riquelme's two-year loan transfer to Villarreal. He performed with three fellows, Rodolfo Arruabarrena, Gonzalo Rodrn, and Juan Pablo Sorn.

After scoring a career-best 15 goals in 35 games, Spanish sports newspaper Marca awarded Riquelme with the Most Artistic Player award and also a nomination for the 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year award. The Valencian club finished the season in third place, and in an attempt to keep track of him, the club negotiated up 75% of Barcelona's rights for up to €8 million, depending on Villarreal's results in the next two seasons. Villarreal also gave Riquelme a four-year contract extension, with the exception that 25% of any subsequent transfer fee would be paid to Barça if Villarreal sells him.

Villarreal won its Champions League group on December 7th, knocking out English giants Manchester United and advance to the knockout stages in the club's debut season in the main continental competition. Villarreal had to pay €1 million to the Catalan club due to a clause in the transfer agreement with Barcelona. In addition,, the agreement contained two other "€1 million clauses": one if Villarreal finished in one of the top four league positions in 2005-06, and the other if the following season.

Jens Lehmann saved a Riquelme penalty that would have brought the game to extra time on April 25, 2006, as Villarreal reached the last four in the Champions League second leg against Arsenal. At El Madrigal, the game came to an end 0–0.

In a 3–2 home victory over Real Zaragoza on September 24, 2006, Riquelme scored his first goal of the 2006–07 season. Villarreal's third goal of the match was scored after he scored a penalty in the 79th minute. Riquelme made only 13 league appearances in the first half of the 2006–07 La Liga season, and was uninhibited in the 2006–07 Copa del Rey.

Riquelme has been given a five-month loan back to Boca Juniors from February 2007 to June 30, 2007, following a tense mix between player, the Villarreal board of directors, and boss Manuel Pellegrini. He played for Boca during the 2007 Torneo Clausura del 2008–08 season, debuting during the 2007 Torneo Clausura in a 1–1 home draw against Rosario Central on February 17, 2007. In a 1-1 home draw against Independiente on March 9, 2007, he scored his first goal for Boca, in his new stint. He scored in the 54th minute to bring the scores to a level. In Boca's third group-stage match against Mexico's Toluca on March 22, 2007, he scored his first goal of the 2007 Copa Libertadores. In an eventual 3–0 home win, Riquelme scored in the 23rd minute, Boca's second goal of the season. Boca finished in second position of their respective class with ten points, advance to the knockout stages of the competition.

Boca defeated Vélez Sarsfield in the round of 16 fixtures during the knockout stages of the tournament. Boca defeated Boca 3–0 home victory during the first leg on May 2nd, 2007. Riquelme scored in the first minute in the first minute. Boca Juniors met Paraguayan side Club Libertad on Friday after progressing to the quarter-finals. Riquelme scored Boca's first goal in the 61st minute of the game on April 24, 2007, securing passage to the semi-finals. Riquelme scored Boca's first goal of their 3–0 home victory during Boca's second-leg semi-final match against Colombia's Ccuta Deportivo on June 7, 2007, scoring Boca's first goal of Boca's first goal. Boca won 4–3 on aggregate, moving to the 2007 Copa Libertadores Final, where they will face Brazilian side Grêmio in June 2007.

On the first leg, Riquelme scored on a free-kick, and Martn Palermo, a free kick, raced the ball across the face of goal for Rodrigo Palacio in the 18th minute. Riquelme scored the 2–0 goal in 73rd-minute through a free kick, with Boca eventually winning 3–0 at home. Riquelme scored a second-half double to give Boca Juniors a 2–0 win and their sixth Copa Libertadores title in the second leg, which was played away on June 20th. Boca Juniors also qualified for the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup, and Riquelme was named as the competition's Most Valuable Player.

Boca had given up hope of re-signing Riquelme in August 2007. The player's return to play "within ten days" a few days later, however, with Boca president Juan Carlos Crespi expressing hope in the player's return "within ten days." The talks stalled when Villarreal's counteroffered to sell Riquelme only in exchange for €4 million, Rodrigo Palacio, and half the right to either Mauro Boselli or Jonathan Maidana were refused by Boca. Riquelme had been signed by Atlético Madrid for a €8 million fee on August 30, 2007, but the contract was terminated at the last minute, leaving Riquelme a Villarreal player. For the 2007–08 season, he was given the number 16 shirt. Riquelme and Villarreal had an agreement on November 26, 2007 that enabled his re-joining Boca Juniors as the new transfer window was re-opened in January 2008.

Boca decided to pay Riquelme a million dollars to buy Riquelme, while Villarreal decided to pay Riquelme's salary for the remainder of the 2007–08 season, which was around €3 million. The arrangement was the most expensive fee paid to an Argentine for its respective player in history. Riquelme was a contractor from 2007 to 2010. He was unable to participate in the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup because he wasn't registered by FIFA in time to participate in the tournament.

Riquelme made ten league appearances and scored one goal during the entire 2007–08 Argentine Primera División season. During the 2008 Torneo Clausura, his first match of 2007–08 was a 1–1 draw against Rosario Central. He assisted Sebastián Battaglia in scoring Boca's only goal in their 1–0 home win over River Plate on May 4, 2008. Riquelme had taken a corner, which was played to Battaglia, who had the ball in the 14th minute and drove the ball into the net. Riquelme helped Boca's first goal against Maracaibo on April 22, 2008, when he headed the ball into the net in the tenth minute. Boca scored their third goal in the 74th minute with a close-range chip as Boca claimed a 3–0 home victory and finished in second place in the competition's knockout stages.

In the sixth minute after receiving a pass from lvaro González during the first leg of the round of 16 stage on April 30, 2008, Riquelme's team stepped into the net for the sixth minute. Boca went on to win the match 2–1 and then win by 4–2 aggregate. In the semi-finals, the club then met Fluminense. After receiving a pass from Rodrigo Palacio, who played the ball across goal for Riquelme to convert in the first leg on May 28, 2008, Riquelme scored in the 12th minute of the match to give Boca a 1–0 lead. Riquelme scored from a free kick in the 65th minute, giving Boca a 2–1 lead before Fluminense equalized. Fluminense defeated Boca Juniors 3–1, defeating the Argentine team 5–3 on aggregate. In the tournament, Riquelme had scored four goals.

During a public debate with Boca Juniors centre-back Riquelme in Asunción in October 2008, Cáceres challenged Riquelme's motivations while training with his national team. "In some matches, he is obviously running, while others are passive." He seems to be physically deprived. When he plays for his country, he seems to have more energy." "He doesn't know what I feel for the team," Riquelme said in a telephone interview with Fox Sports cable TV. I participate in pre-match preparations just like the other participants, and I didn't have a holiday because I decided to play in the [Olympic] Games. I ran to the airport in order to participate in the (Recopa Sudamericana 2008) final) when we had won the gold medal. "These things should be kept in the dressing room," he said, "he has broken all the rules of football." Boca's victory over River Plate in Argentina on October 21, 2008, the rivalry between the two players had been left behind, Cáceres said, adding that the rivalry had improved.

Riquelme scored a 91st minute free-kick to equalize the Boca Juniors' scores against Arsenal de Sarand on August 27, 2008. On aggregate, Boca Juniors defeated the tie 5–3.

Boca defeated Arsenal de Sarand 4-0 on April 12, 2010 in the 47th minute.

Riquelme's debut in the 2011–12 Argentine Primera División season came during the 2011 Torneo Apertura in a 1–1 home draw against Banfield on June 12. In a 4–0 home win over Unión de Santa Fé on August 15, he scored his first goal of the 2011 Torneo Apertura; it was Boca's third goal in the 83rd minute. Boca finished in first place of the 2011 Torneo Clausura with 43 points, going undefeated in 19 league games. They had contested the title for the first time in four years, winning qualification to the 2012 Copa Libertadores.

Riquelme's first appearances in the 2011–12 Copa Argentina were a 1–1 draw against Deportivo Santamarina on February 2, 2012. He was instrumental in scoring Boca's equalizing goal of the match when he lobbed a free kick to Roncaglia, who then led the ball into the net in the 63rd minute. Boca defeated 4–3 on penalty shootout, but the match was decided by penalty shootout, which was decided via penalty shoot-out. Riquelme's first appearance of the 2012 Torneo Clausura came in a 2–0 home win over Olimpo de Baha Blanca on February 10, 2012, when he was forced off the field in the 79th minute for Cristian Chávez. He made his debut in the 2012 Copa Libertadores in a 0–0 away draw against Venezuelan side Zamora on February 14th. Riquelme scored his first goal of the 2012 Torneo Clausura on Sunday against Newell's Old Boys 2–0 at home; it was Boca's second goal, coming in the 80th minute.

In Boca's 5–4 home loss against Independence on March 11, two weeks later, Riquelme scored Boca's second goal. Riquelme scored Boca's second goal in their 2–2 home draw against Lanza on March 25th, only two weeks later. He scored in the 41st minute of the game to put Boca up by a 2–0 lead before the latter scored two second half goals to equalize. Riquelme scored Boca's second goal in Boca's last Copa Libertadores group-stage match against Zamora on April 18th, the team's second goal in the 75th minute of their 2–0 home win. With 13 points, the team secured their second-place finish in their respective group, advancing the team to the knockout stages of the tournament.

Boca was drawn against Unión Espaola, a Chilean club, at the round of 16 stage. Riquelme scored Boca's first goal of the match in the 25th minute on the second leg, giving them a 1–0 advantage. Riquelme assisted Boca in scoring their second goal of the game when he crossed the ball over the goal's left hand side of the goal to Juan Pablo Mouche, who came home the winner in the eventual 2–1 home win. Riquelme assisted Boca in scoring their first goal of the season on May 9th when he played a free kick to Juan Insaurralde, who scored in the 26th minute. Riquelme dribbled past the Unión Espaola defenders and played the ball to Pablo Mouchem, who scored Boca's second goal in the 50th minute. Boca beat Boca 32-0 after Riquelme scored Boca's third goal in the 68th minute.

Boca were drawn against Fluminense in the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores. Riquelme helped Boca score in the first leg of the game on Friday, helping them win by a single point. Boca lost 1-1 in the second leg on May 23rd, earning a 2–1 aggregate score and a spot in the semi-finals. Boca defeated Primera B Nacional's second division team Deportivo Merlo in the Copa Argentina semi-finals on June 3rd. Riquelme, who had free-kick in front of goal but quickly retired the ball into the left side of the net in the 57th minute of the game, giving them a 1–0. Boca maintained the 1–0 lead until Deportivo Merlo equalized in the 89th minute. Boca eventually lost 5–4 after a penalty shootout.

Boca Juniors defeated Universidad de Chile in the Copa Libertadores semi-finals, beating Corinthians in the two-legged final after Boca Juniors had defeated Universidad de Chile. Riquelme appeared in both matches of the 3-1 aggregate loss, with the club's chairman announcing his departure immediately following the 2-0 loss in So Paulo on July. Riquelme, a 34-year-old boy, said he would leave the club because he didn't have enough energy left to continue. Riquelme said he would leave Boca because he was drained, and he also indicated that he needed a break from football. Boca won the 2011–12 Copa Argentina without the presence of Riquelme when they defeated Racing Club in a 2–1 victory on August 8.

Daniel Bolotnicoff, Riquelme's agent, had denied allegations that any Australian A-League club had contacted him to inquire about the possibility of a transfer because he had been associated with Melbourne Heart and Western Sydney Wanderers. On January 5, 2013, Riquelme nearly joined Chivas USA in the Major League Soccer (MLS) format when he was to travel to the United States as the latter was to be the head coach of the MLS team. Bianchi was then appointed Boca's first-team coach ten days later, sparking Riquelme's reiteration that he did not re-join Boca Juniors as a player.

After much rumors that Riquelme was going to join Palmeiras, newly elected club president Paulo Nobre revealed that Palmeiras were unable to sign Riquelme due to financial conditions and Riquelme's asking salary.

Riquelme confessed on January 26 that he did not miss playing football and that his only options would be to play for Argentinos Juniors or Tigre. Argentinas Juniors President Luis Seguira had announced that the club would make an offer for Riquelme on January 30, 2013. Riquelme had met Sergio Massa, Tigre's fiancee, on January 31 in 2013, in order to discuss the possibility of his arrival at the club. Following various discussions, Riquelme had accepted the invitation to play for Tigre, and that the initial discussion and confirmation of his contract was the only thing that could be done until his official signing with the club.

Riquelme had said on February 4, 2013 that he was planning to return to Boca Juniors and that he had contacted Boca coach Carlos Bianchi that he would be back in Boca Juniors and that he had contacted Boca coach Carlos Bianchi.

Riquelme would return to Boca Juniors on February 8, 2013, according to the club's president. At the second match against Corinthians at the Copa Libertadores, he was highly influential, scoring a goal from the midfield and knocking out the reigning FIFA World Cup champions.

Riquelme scored a free kick in the Superclásico on March 30, 2014, but his team was unable to prevent his team from losing 2–1 to River Plate.

Riquelme would join Argentinos Juniors on July 17, 2014, according to the magazine. On his first game against Boca Unidos, he scored his first goal for his new club.

Riquelme's resignation, which Riquelme had hoped to receive on January 23, 2015, had been confirmed on January 23. Riquelme's salary would make his deal the most costly in the country, according to later. Riquelme had officially announced his retirement from football through ESPN on January 25, 2015, but Cerro Porteo thanked him.

International career

Riquelme was called up by Argentina's under-20 team in 1997 for their last qualifying match for the 1998 World Cup. In the final minutes of Argentina's 1–1 draw against Colombia, the match was played at Boca Juniors, La Bombonera, where a 19-year-old Riquelme debuted for Argentina. The 1999 Copa América was Argentina's first major tournament for the country.

Riquelme competed in the 2000 CONMEBOL Men Pre-Olympic Tournament, which saw Argentina fail to qualify for the 2000 Summer Olympics. During the tournament, he appeared three times and scored just one goal. In a 3–1 away victory over Libya in Tripoli on April 30, 2003, Riquelme scored his first international goal. Riquelme scored his second international goal for Argentina during a 3–2 home win over Venezuela in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Venezuela on November 17th. Riquelme scored in Argentina's 3–1 home victory over Brazil on June 8th, the country's first national qualifier in Buenos Aires, before leaving for the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup. Riquelme scored his seventh international goal in a 2–0 home victory over Peru on October 9, 2005, in a FIFA World Cup qualifier match. In the 81st minute, Riquelme scored a penalty. In a friendly match in Doha on November 16, 2005, Riquelme's eighth international goal was defeated by 1–0.

Riquelme was named captain of Argentina's national football team by new coach Alfio Basile in 2006. Riquelme had been strongly chastised and blamed for the loss after a 3–0 loss in Brazil. Riquelme's mother had been hospitalized twice in two months following the 2006 World Cup, prompting Riquelme to announce his international retirement from the Argentina national team on September 13. Riquelme had made 37 international appearances and had scored eight goals at that time. Riquelme emerged from three months of inactivity at Villarreal to win by two free kicks in a 2–0 victory over Chile on October 13, 2007 to get Argentina off to a winning start in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. Riquelme scored twice in Argentina's 3–0 home win over Bolivia on November 17th, also in a 2010 World Cup qualifier match. He has risen to a total of 17 international goals. Riquelme resigned from the national team in March 2009 after a rift with coach Diego Maradona. Former manager Sergio Batista said he would have like for Riquelme to return to international play, hinting at the possibility of the player playing in a friendly with Spain in August 2010, but this did not happen.

Riquelme was called up to Argentina's national team by coach Alejandro Sabella in 2011, but he later withdrew his assignment from the squad due to injuries from club matches, leaving him unable to complete two games in a matter of days.

Riquelme was selected to the Argentina national under-20 football team for the 1997 South American Youth Championship, which was hosted in Chile by coach José Pekerman. He appeared in all nine games of the tournament and scored three goals. Argentina defeated the tournament for the second time in thirty years, winning their second South American Youth Championship in a row. A group of journalists who had registered in the tournament selected Riquelme, Walter Samuel and Pablo Aimar in the tournament's team. Argentina's victory earned them qualification for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship in Malaysia.

Riqulememe was selected as captain of Argentina for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship, and he played in all three group stage matches. In the 50th minute of Argentina's 3–0 victory over Hungary on June 18, he scored his third goal. In Argentina's 2–1 victory over Canada on June 20, 1997, he became the fifth-minute winner. Riquelme scored an 88th-minute penalty to tie the scores at 3-3, and Australia won the match by a 90th-minute penalty. Argentina had gained six points and finished in second place in their group, qualifying for the tournament's first round. Argentina defeated England in the round of 16, where Riquelme scored a tenth-minute penalty as Argentina defeated Argentina 2–1. Argentina went on to beat Brazil 2–0 in the quarter-finals, the Republic of Ireland 1–0 in the semi-finals, and came from behind to defeat Uruguay 2–1 in the final, beating Uruguay 2–1. Riquelme had scored four goals for the tournament, and Argentina had been awarded the FIFA Fair Play Award.

José Pékermanman, an Argentina under-20 squad, selected Riquelme in Argentina's 1998 Toulon Tournament, held in France, included Riquelme in Argentina's under-20 squad in May 1998. Argentina defeated France 2–0 in the final, beating France 2–0 in the final as Riquelme appeared in all five matches of the tournament and was named Player of the Tournament.

Riquelme was selected in Argentina's 22-man squad for the 1999 Copa América in Paraguay, wearing the number 22 shirt. He was one of six Boca Juniors players selected in the team. He appeared in Argentina's first group stage match, a 3–1 victory over Ecuador on July 1, 1999. Diego Cagna's 90th minute was recalled him. Riquelme played the entire 90 minutes against Colombia in Argentina's second group stage match, on July 4, 1999. He played the full 90 minutes in Argentina's third group stage match, defeating Uruguay by 2–0 on July 7, 1999. Argentina finished in second place in their respective league with six points, defeating Brazil in the quarter-finals on July 11, 1999. Riquelme was involved in the entire match of Argentina's 2–1 loss losing, having been in front 1–0 until the 32nd minute of the match.

Riquelme was selected for the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup in June, where he wore the number 8 shirt under former national youth coach José Pékerman. Argentina won by a 2–1 victory over Tunisia on June 15th, with Argentina's first group stage match against Tunisia. He started the scoring for Argentina by converting a penalty in the 33rd minute. Argentina defeated Australia in their second group stage match on June 18th. Riquelme scored a 31st-minute penalty to give Argentina a 2–0 lead after going on to win 4–2. Riquelme scored a 33rd-minute equalizer for Argentina in Argentina's third group stage match against hosts Germany on June 21, just four minutes after Germany had taken the lead. Argentina and Germany had won seven points, along with Germany, and advanced to the next round of the tournament, with a score of 2–2.

Argentina defeated Mexico in the semi-finals on June 26th. The match ended 1–1 after extra time and culminated in a penalty shootout. Riquelme converted Argentina's first spot kick as they defeated 6–5 on penalties, with Argentina successfully converting each penalty. Argentina defeated Brazil in the final on June 29th. Argentina defeated Argentina 4–1 at the Commerzbank-Arena in Frankfurt, with Riquelme playing the full 90 minutes. Riquelme was named the second best player at the tournament and was named the Silver Ball Winner.

Riquelme was also drafted in Argentina's 23-man team for the 2006 World Cup, where he was given the number 10 shirt for the first time in history under coach José Pékerman. Argentina was drawn against Netherlands, Serbia, Montenegro, and the Ivory Coast in what was described as the tournament's "group of death." He began in Argentina's first group stage match against the Ivory Coast on June 10th. Argentina was leading 1–0 before Riquelme helped with Argentina's second goal in their 2–1 victory over Javier Saviola. In the 93rd minute, Riquelme was first called off the field for Pablo Aimar. Argentina defeated Serbia and Montenegro in Gelsenkirchen on June 16, where Riquelme played the complete 90 minutes of Argentina's eventual 6–0 victory. Riquelme was the king of a line of 24 passes by the Argentine team, setting up their second goal scored by Esteban Cambiasso after he gave Saviola a pass inside; Cambiasso then kicked the ball back to Cambiasso, who then netted from 12 yards. Crespo called the campaign "the most beautiful goal." Riquelme helped Argentina win their fourth goal by scoring at the far post after being credited with a free-kick for Lionel Messi. Riquelme was named Man of the Match.

Argentina defeated the Netherlands 0–0 in Frankfurt, Argentina's last group-stage match, on June 21. Argentina finished in first place of their group, alongside the Netherlands with seven points, after Riquelme was called off in the 80th minute for Pablo Aimar. Riquelme, 28 years old, celebrated his 28th birthday on June 24th as Argentina defeated Mexico in the round of 16. Riquelme had taken a corner-kick in the tenth minute, sending Hernán Crespo's ball into the net after Mexico took a sixth-minute lead through Rafael Márquez. Maxi Rodrez scored in the 98th minute, giving Argentina a chance to advance to the quarterfinals. On the 30th of June, Argentina defeated Germany in the quarterfinals. Riquelme led Argentina to a 1-0 lead in the 49th minute after heading the ball into the net in a corner pin-pointing Roberto Ayala. Riquelme was then recalled in the 72nd minute by replacement Esteban Cambiasso. In the 80th minute, Germany equalized via Miroslav Klose, just moments later. The match was decided by a penalty shoot-out, which Germany defeated 4–2.

Riquelme was recalled by Alfio Basile as part of Argentina's 23-man squad for 2007 Copa América on June 26, 2007. Riquelme hurriedly returned to Buenos Aires and sent the Argentina national team to Venezuela for the tournament early in the morning after Boca Juniors won the 2007 Copa Libertadores. Riquelme defeated the United States 4–1 in Argentina's first group stage match on June 28. Argentina defeated Colombia in their second group stage match on July 2nd. Argentina beat Argentina 4–2. Riquelme scored twice, with a header in the 34th minute and then with a free-kick in the 45th minute.

Argentina won their last group stage match against Paraguay on July 5th, finishing in first place in their group by nine points. Argentina defeated Peru in the quarterfinals on July 8th, where Riquelme scored two goals, one with each foot in the 47th and 85th minute, as well as assist Messi in scoring in the 61st minute of the game. Argentina defeated Mexico 3–0 in the semi-finals on July 11th, as Riquelme assisted Gabriel Heinze in scoring Argentina's first goal of the match and also scored his fifth goal of the season – Argentina's third goal of the tournament – when he converted a penalty in the 65th minute. Argentina defeated Brazil in the final on July 15th. Riquelme continued the game for the full 90 minutes as Argentina was defeated 3–0. Riquelme had five goals and was ranked as the tournament's second-leading goalcorer.

Riquelme was selected as one of three over-age players and also named captain by Sergio Batista for Argentina's 19-man squad for the 2008 Summer Olympics football tournament in Beijing. Javier Mascherano and Nicolás Pareja were among the three over-aged players in the team's roster. Argentina was drawn in Group A against the Ivory Coast, Australia, and Serbia. Riquelme played the full 90 minutes of Argentina's opening group stage fixture, defeating Ivory Coast 2–1. Riquelme played another 90 minutes in Argentina's 1–0 victory over Australia on August 10th. Riquelme lay off the bench for Argentina's third group-stage match, pitting the captain's armband to Javier Mascherano, where the team defeated Serbia 2–0 on August 13th to claim maximum points in the group and finish in first place.

Riquelme won Argentina's 2–1 quarter-final victory over the Netherlands on August 16, advancing to the semi-finals. Argentina defeated Brazil in the semi-finals on August 19th, when Riquelme scored a 76th-minute goal to give Argentina a 3–0 victory. Argentina defeated Nigeria 1–0 in the final on August 23rd at the Beijing National Stadium, where Argentina defeated Nigeria 1–0 to win its second consecutive Gold Medal at the Summer Olympics.

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by national team and year-old target.

International goals

Source