10 Things You Didn't Know About Juan Román Riquelme

A look back at 10 things you probably didn’t know about Juan Román Riquelme, “El Último Diez”, the favorite player of your favorite player.

10 things about Juan Román Riquelme

1️⃣ RIQUELME is the last player to have replaced Maradona.It happened during a Superclásico on October 25, 1997. El Pibe de Oro said goodbye to football at 37 and was replaced by Riquelme, a 19-year-old youngster. He was also the last player to exchange shirts with Zidane during the Frenchman’s final match in Madrid.

2️⃣ In 2008 he was accused of inciting violence after his superb goal against Racing, which he celebrated by pointing at a spectator who had been insulting him since the start of the match. The fan then drew the wrath of La Bombonera and was violently beaten by Boca supporters, which sparked a riot in the stands.

3️⃣ In 2010 he was voted by a Boca Juniors poll “Best Player in the Club’s History”, ahead of… Diego Armando Maradona, simply.

4️⃣ His father was a member of the mafia (a real OG) in Buenos Aires and didn’t want to let his son leave. When Juan Román signed for Barcelona, he did not speak to him for several months.

5️⃣ …Maybe because his father had gotten used to betting on his son’s matches to win illegal bets.

6️⃣ His brother CRISTIAN was kidnapped in 2002 during a training session with his club Platense. Juan Román then paid $160,000 to the kidnappers so they would release his brother, who was only 16 years old.

7️⃣ Against Serbia at the 2006 World Cup, Riquelme completed 99% of his passes (104/105). It remains the highest passing accuracy ever recorded at a World Cup.

8️⃣ He led Villarreal to the Champions League semi-final in their first ever participation. I’m telling you, he’s a GOAT.

9️⃣ He could have played for Manchester United, but Villarreal refused to let him leave. He later said it was the biggest regret of his career.

🔟 RIQUELME was born on June 24, just like Lionel Messi or even a brand called RETRO FOOTBALL GANG.

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