On Monday soccer world was hit by a bad news that “El Torero” or Juan Roman Riquelme is saying goodbye to professional soccer. With his retirement we can say that we lost last real “number 10”. You would say that we still have Ronaldinho, but there are differences between Brazil number 10 and Argentina number 10. Difference that is hard to explain, in Brazil number 10 was usual player that is slightly better than the rest of the team, while in Argentina number 10 is god.
Number 10 in each team is usual the playmaker or the player that can and will make a difference on the field. Player that will give through ball toward his teammates, that will pass 2 or 3 opponent players and send precise cross toward his teammates or he will take the ball and just score.
Yes, in modern football we also have players that are more than capable of doing that, but today it’s all about speed and physical strength. In the “old days” when the ball would come to player with number 10 on his back whole stadium would stop breathing for 2-3 seconds. In those 2-3 seconds he would slow down his team action and then send excellent ball toward his attacker. Ball that would make a difference on the field and delirium on the stadium.
Riquelme is born on 24 June 1978 in San Fernando, Argentina. He started his career in Argentinos Juniors in 1992 and in 1995 he moves to Boca Juniors. Riquelme debut for Boca Juniors first team on 10 November 1996 in 2-0 win against Union de Santa Fe, two weeks later Riquelme scored his first goal for Boca in their 6-0 win over Club Atletico Huracan. In 2002 after seven season in Boca Juniors he got transferred to Barcelona for €11 Mill. Under the lead of Louis van Gaal Riquelme didn’t have a good time, he was mostly pushed on the wing where he couldn’t manage to shown his potential. After disappointed season he join Villarreal first on loan and then in 2005 Villarreal buy his contract. In 2007 he return to Boca Juniors first on loan and then in next season as full-time Boca Juniors player. In Boca Juniors Riquelme show some of best games in his career. Riquelme finished his career in a club where he started his career in Argentinos Juniors.
Riquelme was fantastic player that could make a difference on the pitch, but he didn’t show his full potential. Now in modern soccer we have some other number 10 players, players who favor more speed and strength over playmaking abilities. But this is some different soccer then what used to be.
Juan Roman Riquelme - Retirement of last real number 10
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