Messi-Riquelme duo: Argentina's name of regret

 Messi-Riquelme duo: Argentina's name of regret

Messi-Riquelme(Twitter)

He was often referred to as the "Lazy Magician." On the field, he would often be seen lazily standing around. His opponents would be confused about him not running too much on the field. However, when he ran with the ball, it was as if he turned the green field into an artist's canvas. With the ball at his feet, he showcased magic. Unparalleled enchantment spread. He was Juan Roman Riquelme.

Like Diego Maradona or Lionel Messi, he wore Argentina's number 10 jersey. Before Messi and after Maradona, there were players who distinguished themselves by wearing Argentina's number 10 jersey, and among them, Riquelme was the greatest. Nearly everything required of a number 10 jersey bearer was present in Riquelme. Along the path shown by Diego Maradona, before Messi, Ariel Ortega, Marcelo Gallardo, Pablo Aimar, and Andres D'Alessandro also acquired Argentina's number 10 jersey. Each of them had earned the moniker "New Maradona." They all desired to become "Maradona," but they couldn't quite achieve it. However, at that time, Riquelme seemed to be the one closest to "Maradona." But even such a player couldn't attain everything that Maradona had.

Messi and Riquelme together could have brought glory to Argentina in the 2010 World Cup. However, that didn't happen because of Diego Maradona. Despite using 108 players throughout the qualifying phase, Maradona failed to lead the best team to South Africa. In 2009, Riquelme left the national team, expressing his pride over Maradona. He criticized Maradona and stated that he had excluded himself from the team. As a reason, he said that Riquelme was not a player who could contribute much in terms of physical aspects. Although he was considered the apple of Argentina's eye, Argentine football lovers have never fully embraced Maradona's words. The Messi-Riquelme duo ended after only 27 matches for the Argentine team. Riquelme played a total of 51 matches representing Argentina. With 17 goals to his name, if he had played more matches for Argentina, he could have undoubtedly showcased something extraordinary.

After a gap of 9 years, Riquelme is preparing to bid farewell in a ceremonial manner. His farewell match is being organized. The interesting thing is that Messi will play in Riquelme's farewell match. Riquelme himself is ecstatic to have Messi in his farewell match and says, "Messi's game is like a dream for me. He is the best player in the world. Having two players like Maradona and Messi, we Argentinians feel proud and consider ourselves fortunate. It is my fortune that I have played with both of them."

In 2019, a match was arranged for Riquelme, but Messi couldn't be present. Without Messi, that match didn't happen either. This time, Riquelme's farewell match is being organized with the World Cup-winning Messi. It is like a dream for Riquelme. But it is certain that in today's farewell match, seeing both of them together will evoke new criticism and long sighs from Argentine supporters.