By Chrysanthus Ikeh
The former Villareal star announced his retirement in a statement released today, January 26, 2015 saying: ‘I have decided to no longer play football. I enjoyed football to the maximum. I hope the people have enjoyed it alongside me. I tried to have a good time.
‘I tried to give everything I could to fans of Boca, Argentina, Villarreal and Barcelona, in the youth teams and the full teams. From now on my football life ends and a new life starts. Let’s see what it holds.’
Riquelme, who started his senior career with Boca Juniors in 1996, played 288 games and scored 64 goals. He went on to play for Barcelona, Villarreal and was a regular for the Argentina national team for several years.
