Juan Román Riquelme · Biography

The first title of Juan Román Riquelme’s career came in July 1997, when he won the FIFA World Youth Championship in Malaysia with Argentina. Born on 24 June 1978 in San Fernando, in Buenos Aires province, he was a left-footed attacking midfielder known for a deliberate, unhurried style. He came through the youth ranks at Argentinos Juniors and spent most of his career at Boca Juniors, with spells at FC Barcelona and Villarreal. After retiring in 2015 he joined Boca’s board, and in December 2023 he was elected the club’s president.

Early years and youth football

Riquelme grew up in Don Torcuato as part of a large family, learning the game on neighbourhood pitches and in a team run by his father. As a teenager he joined the youth system at Argentinos Juniors, a club with a long record of producing creative midfielders. He developed there as an enganche, the classic Argentine number ten, and in 1995 Boca Juniors bought his registration before he had made a senior appearance. He finished his development at the La Boca club while also playing for Argentina’s youth teams.

Debut and trophies at Boca

He made his first-division debut for Boca on 10 November 1996 against Unión de Santa Fe. When Carlos Bianchi took charge in 1998, Riquelme became the centre of the side. Boca won the 1998 Apertura, the 1999 Clausura and the 2000 Apertura. In 2000 they lifted the Copa Libertadores against Palmeiras and, that November in Tokyo, the Intercontinental Cup with a 2-1 win over Real Madrid. A second Libertadores followed in 2001, decided on penalties in the final against Mexico’s Cruz Azul.

Barcelona and Villarreal

In 2002 he signed for FC Barcelona, then coached by Louis van Gaal, who did not see him as a regular starter. After one season with limited playing time, he joined Villarreal on loan in 2003, and the club later bought his rights. Under Manuel Pellegrini he found a steady role. In 2004-05 Villarreal finished third in the Spanish league and qualified for the Champions League for the first time. In 2006 they reached the semi-finals, losing to Arsenal; Riquelme missed a late penalty in the second leg. In the second half of 2006 he lost his place after disagreements with the coaching staff.

Return to Boca

In early 2007 he returned to Boca on loan and was decisive in the 2007 Copa Libertadores, scoring three goals across the two legs of the final against Grêmio. Boca signed him permanently in 2008. With the club he went on to win the 2008 Recopa Sudamericana, the 2008 Apertura and the 2011 Apertura, the last of them unbeaten. In 2012 he won the Copa Argentina and reached another Libertadores final, lost to Corinthians. After a short break he came back in 2013 and played his last match in Boca’s blue and gold in 2014.

Argentina national team

Following the 1997 youth title, he made his senior debut in November 1997. He started at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where Argentina went out to the hosts in the quarter-finals, and reached the final of the 2007 Copa América in Venezuela, lost to Brazil. In 2008 he won Olympic gold in Beijing as one of the squad’s over-age players. In 2009 he announced his retirement from international football, citing differences with head coach Diego Maradona. He finished with 51 caps and 17 goals.

Playing style

He operated as a playmaker behind the strikers. His game rested on shielding the ball with his body, threading passes through defensive lines and slowing play down to organise attacks. He was also a regular taker of free kicks and penalties. His slow tempo clashed with coaches who demanded more intensity, such as Van Gaal at Barcelona, and suited those who handed him control of the team, such as Bianchi and Pellegrini.

Final years and boardroom role

In 2014 he went back to Argentinos Juniors, then in the Primera B Nacional, and helped them win promotion to the top flight that November. He announced his retirement in January 2015. In December 2019 he joined Boca’s board as second vice-president on the ticket led by Jorge Amor Ameal, taking charge of professional football matters. In the election held on 17 December 2023 he was voted president of Boca Juniors for the 2023-2027 term.