Juan Riquelme (full name Juan Román Riquelme) was born on June 24, 1978 in San Fernando, Buenos Aires, Argentina, but grew up in Don Torcuato. He is an Argentine professional football attacking midfielder.

Biography and Career :

Like a lot of football player Riquelme started his career when he was just a little kid at Argentinos Juniors. Scouts from big clubs like Riverplate and Boca Juniors saw him and in 1995 he chose Boca Juniors and signed a contract for 800,000 US dollars.

He debuted in a professional match on November 10, 1996 against Unión de Santa Fe and after only two weeks he scored his first goal against Huracan. His skills were discovered by the strongest European football clubs and a lot o f these started to try to buy him.

Finally he signed for Barcelona in 2002 who paid for him over 20 millions US dollars. Soon after this his career and personal life wasn't very good because he didn't play too much for Barcelona and also his brother was kidnapped and he had to pay a lot of money for his freedom.

The coach from Barcelona in that tine, Louis van Gaal called him a "political signing" and ignored him. After only one year he was loaned to Villareal where he became again the good player who left Boca. Here he met his mate and friend Juan Pablo Sorin.

The newspaper "Marca" named him "The artistic player" and Villareal after paid to Barcelona 5 millions UD dollars for 75% rights of the player offered him a four years contract. After a good season in UEFA cup Villareal debuted in UEFA Champions League and had a fascinating play. They succeed to play the semi-final after they won a group with great teams like Manchester United and Lille OSC. They were beat by Arsenal after a terrible game.

In November 2007 Riquelme became free player and refused an offer from Tottenham Hotspur because he chose to return to Boca Juniors. For the Argentina national team played 44 times and scored 17 goals.

Trivia :

- In 2001 was named "South American Footballer of the Year".
- Height: 182cm
- Number 10
- He scored 35 goals for Villareal in 105 games.

Best Results :

- 2007 Copa Libertadores' Most Valuable Player
- 2007 Copa Libertadores (Boca Juniors)
- 2006 Nominated for FIFA World Player of the Year
- 2005 Nominated for FIFA World Player of the Year
- 2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup (Villarreal CF)
- 2001 Copa Libertadores (Boca Juniors)
- 2001 South American Footballer of the Year
- 2000 Argentine Apertura Championship (Boca Juniors)
- 2000 Intercontinental Cup (Boca Juniors)
- 2000 Copa Libertadores (Boca Juniors)
- 1999 Argentine Clausura Championship (Boca Juniors)
- 1998 Argentine Apertura Championship (Boca Juniors)
- 1997 FIFA's World Youth Championship (under-20).
_{Juan Riquelme Image : dailymail.co.uk}

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Tags: 1978, san fernando, buenos aires, argentina, don torcuato, football player, attacking midfielder	[edit tags]

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Category: Sport Stars  - ( Sport Stars Archive)

Date Added: 17 December '07

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