Juan Román Riquelme Biography: Early Life, Career, And Achievements

Juan Román Riquelme is a former Argentine professional footballer and current vice-president of Boca Juniors, where he spent most of his playing career. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest playmakers of all time, known for his exceptional vision, passing ability, and ball control. Riquelme’s illustrious career spanned more than two decades, during which he played for some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Barcelona and Villarreal.

Born on June 24, 1978, in San Fernando, Buenos Aires, Riquelme grew up in a family of footballers. His father, Juan Carlos Riquelme, was a professional footballer who played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, and other clubs in Argentina. From a young age, Riquelme showed a natural talent for the sport, and he quickly rose through the ranks of the youth teams at Argentinos Juniors, where he made his professional debut in 1996.

Throughout his career, Riquelme won numerous titles and awards, including four Argentine Primera División titles with Boca Juniors, a Copa Libertadores, and an Olympic gold medal with the Argentine national team. He was also named South American Footballer of the Year on three occasions and was included in the FIFA 100 list of the world’s greatest living players. Riquelme’s impact on the sport continues to be felt today, and his legacy as one of the greatest playmakers of all time remains secure.

Key Takeaways

Juan Román Riquelme is widely regarded as one of the greatest playmakers of all time, known for his exceptional vision, passing ability, and ball control.
Riquelme’s career spanned more than two decades, during which he played for some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Barcelona and Villarreal.
Throughout his career, Riquelme won numerous titles and awards, including four Argentine Primera División titles with Boca Juniors, a Copa Libertadores, and an Olympic gold medal with the Argentine national team.

Early Life

Juan Román Riquelme was born on June 24, 1978, in San Fernando, Buenos Aires, Argentina. He grew up in a football-loving family, with his father and uncle playing professionally in Argentina. Riquelme started playing football at a very young age and quickly showed his talent on the field.

At the age of 8, Riquelme joined the youth academy of Argentinos Juniors, one of the most prestigious football clubs in Argentina. He quickly rose through the ranks and made his professional debut for the club at the age of 18 in 1996.

Riquelme’s early career was marked by his exceptional technical skills, vision, and passing ability. He quickly became a fan favorite and helped Argentinos Juniors win the Argentine Primera División in 1995.

In 1997, Riquelme was called up to the Argentine national team for the first time. He went on to represent Argentina in three World Cups and played a crucial role in their run to the final in 2014.

Despite his early success, Riquelme faced numerous challenges throughout his career, including injuries, personal conflicts with coaches, and criticism from the press. However, he remained dedicated to his craft and continued to hone his skills, becoming one of the most iconic players in Argentine football history.

Club Career

Boca Juniors

Juan Román Riquelme began his professional career in 1996 with Boca Juniors, one of the most successful clubs in Argentina. He quickly established himself as a key player for the team, playing as a central midfielder and helping them win several domestic and international titles, including three Copa Libertadores and two Intercontinental Cups.

Barcelona

In 2002, Riquelme was signed by Barcelona, one of the biggest clubs in Europe. Although he initially struggled to adapt to the team’s style of play, he eventually found his rhythm and became an important player for the team. He helped them win the Spanish Super Cup in 2003 and reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2003-04.

Villarreal

In 2003, Riquelme was loaned out to Villarreal, where he had one of the best seasons of his career. He was instrumental in helping the team finish third in La Liga and reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup, scoring several important goals along the way. The following season, Villarreal signed him permanently, and he continued to play well for the team.

Return to Boca Juniors

In 2007, Riquelme returned to Boca Juniors on loan, and he quickly became a fan favorite once again. He helped the team win the Copa Libertadores for the fourth time in his career, scoring several important goals in the process. He then signed a permanent deal with the team and played for them until his retirement in 2014.

Throughout his club career, Riquelme was known for his excellent passing ability, vision, and leadership on the field. He was also a prolific goal scorer, particularly from free kicks and penalties. His performances for Boca Juniors and Villarreal in particular are still remembered fondly by fans of those teams.

International Career

Argentina Youth Teams

Juan Román Riquelme began his international career with the Argentina U20 team at the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship, where he helped his team reach the final. He was also part of the Argentina U20 team that won the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship, scoring three goals in the tournament.

Argentina Senior Team

Riquelme made his debut for the Argentina senior team in 1997, but it was not until the 2002 FIFA World Cup that he became a regular member of the squad. He played a key role in Argentina’s run to the quarterfinals of the tournament, scoring two goals and providing several assists.

Riquelme was also a member of the Argentina team that won the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. He played in all six of Argentina’s matches, scoring one goal and providing two assists.

Overall, Riquelme made 51 appearances for the Argentina senior team, scoring 17 goals. He was known for his excellent passing ability and his skill at controlling the tempo of the game.

Retirement and Post-Career

After a long and successful career, Juan Román Riquelme announced his retirement from professional football on October 29, 2023, at the age of 45. Throughout his career, Riquelme played for various clubs, including Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Villarreal, and FC Barcelona.

Following his retirement, Riquelme became the vice-president of Boca Juniors, the club where he spent the majority of his playing career. In this role, he has been involved in the management and decision-making processes of the club, including player transfers and team strategies.

In addition to his work with Boca Juniors, Riquelme has also been involved in charity work. He has been a spokesperson for UNICEF and has participated in various fundraising events for children’s charities.

Despite his retirement from professional football, Riquelme’s legacy as one of the greatest playmakers of all time continues to be recognized by journalists, players, and coaches. His technical skills, vision, and ability to control the game from the midfield have inspired many young players and will continue to be remembered for years to come.

Legacy and Impact

Juan Román Riquelme is widely regarded as one of the greatest Argentine footballers of all time. His impact on the game can be seen in the numerous accolades he received throughout his career, as well as the way he influenced the style of play of future generations of players.

Riquelme was known for his exceptional playmaking skills, his ability to control the pace of the game, and his incredible vision on the field. He was a master of the “number 10” position, and his style of play was often compared to that of legendary Argentine footballer Diego Maradona.

Riquelme’s legacy can be seen in the way he inspired future generations of players to adopt a similar style of play. Many young players in Argentina and around the world looked up to Riquelme as a role model, and his influence can be seen in the way the game is played today.

Off the field, Riquelme’s impact was just as significant. He was known for his humility and his dedication to his team and his fans. He was a leader both on and off the field, and his presence in the locker room was a source of inspiration for his teammates.

Overall, Juan Román Riquelme’s legacy is one of excellence, dedication, and inspiration. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest footballers of all time, and his impact on the game will be felt for generations to come.

Personal Life

Juan Román Riquelme was born on June 24, 1978, in San Fernando, Buenos Aires, Argentina. He grew up in a family of football players, with his father and two older brothers playing the sport. Riquelme’s father, Juan Carlos Riquelme, played for Argentinos Juniors and San Lorenzo, while his brothers also played for local clubs.

Off the pitch, Riquelme is known for being a private person. He is married to Evangelina Anderson, a model and actress, and they have three children together. Riquelme is also a devout Catholic and has been seen wearing a rosary during matches.

In addition to his football career, Riquelme is also involved in politics. He has been a vocal supporter of the center-right political party, Propuesta Republicana (PRO), and has campaigned for its candidates in the past. Riquelme’s political views have sparked controversy in Argentina, with some criticizing him for using his fame to influence voters.

Overall, Riquelme’s personal life is characterized by his dedication to his family, his faith, and his political beliefs. Despite his fame and success on the pitch, he remains a private individual who values his privacy and personal convictions.

Achievements and Awards

Juan Román Riquelme is widely regarded as one of the greatest Argentine footballers of all time. He has won numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, both at the club and international level.

At the youth level, Riquelme won the 1997 South American U-20 Championship and the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship in Malaysia with the Argentina national team. He was also named the tournament’s best player.

At the club level, Riquelme achieved great success with Boca Juniors, winning five Argentine Primera División titles, three Copa Libertadores titles, and one Intercontinental Cup. He was also named the South American Footballer of the Year four times and the Argentine Footballer of the Year three times.

Riquelme’s individual accolades include being named to the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team in 2006, winning the Silver Ball at the 2007 Copa América, and being named the CONMEBOL Best 10 in both 2000 and 2001. He was also named to the UEFA Team of the Year in 2001 and 2002.

Despite his impressive list of accomplishments, Riquelme has always been known for his humility and team-first mentality. He has often credited his teammates and coaches for his success, and has always put the success of the team above his own individual accolades.

Frequently Asked Questions

What teams did Juan Roman Riquelme play for?

Juan Roman Riquelme played for several teams throughout his career. He started playing for Argentinos Juniors, where he played for three years before moving to Boca Juniors. After his success at Boca Juniors, Riquelme moved to Europe to play for Barcelona and then Villarreal. He returned to Boca Juniors for a brief period before retiring from football.

How old is Juan Roman?

Juan Roman Riquelme was born on June 24, 1978, which makes him 45 years old as of 2023.

Why did Riquelme leave Barcelona?

Juan Roman Riquelme left Barcelona due to his strained relationship with the club’s then-manager Frank Rijkaard. Riquelme was unhappy with his playing time and Rijkaard’s tactics, which led to his departure from the club.

What is Juan Roman Riquelme’s nickname?

Juan Roman Riquelme’s nickname is “El Torero,” which means “The Bullfighter” in Spanish. The nickname was given to him by Argentinian journalist Victor Hugo Morales, who compared Riquelme’s style of play to that of a bullfighter.