On Sunday, Juan Roman Riquelme played in his last game, and he said that he was “grateful” that fellow Argentina icon Lionel Messi participated.
Riquelme was outstanding for Boca Juniors when they competed against a star-studded Argentina eleven in Boca’s legendary home stadium, La Bombonera. Some of the notable players on the Argentina eleven were Angel Di Maria, Nicolas Paredes, Lionel Scaloni, Pablo Aimar, Javier Saviola, and Esteban Cambiasso.
“This is much too much… An emotional Riquelme addressed the crowd inside the stadium and described this experience as being “like being involved in one of the most beautiful movies.”
“In my life, football has provided me with everything. I had no other goals than getting a home for my mum in my dreams… I know that I will go out a fighter just like all of you, because that is how I was born, and that is how I will go out when I die. Without you, I would not be able to continue living,” said the former player who had success with Barcelona, Villareal, and Boca before calling it a career in 2015 after 51 international games for Argentina.
The approximately 50,000 people who were watching the game inside the crowded stadium cheered the most when Messi was brought into the game, and some Boca supporters were even seen to applaud when Messi scored later on in the evening.
Riquelme made the most of the chance to express gratitude to Messi for his attendance.”Messi and Maradona are the two finest players I’ve ever seen in my whole life. Messi was a forward, and Maradona was a forward. The 45-year-old, who competed in the 2006 World Cup wearing the No. 10 jersey, said that it was “wonderful to have him here.”
“I’m very glad that you always said yes to me and for all the bosteros I am blessed to have you here, it is memorable, I hope you had a nice time. I apologize to your family, Leo, that you had vacations and remained a couple of extra days. I’m very thankful that you always said yes to me. I love you very much.”
In the end, Messi was taken off the field in the 17th minute of the second half to a thunderous ovation, and he was replaced by Saviola, a striker who had previously played for Barcelona and Real Madrid.
It is well knowledge that Messi places a great deal of reverence in Riquelme as one of his heroes. In 2017, during Argentina’s match against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Qatar, La Pulga performed a celebration that was heavily influenced by Riquelme.
“It is a very nice feeling to be able to be in his (Riquelme) tribute, what he means for Argentine football, for Boca, once again to play at La Bombonera, a very special day to enjoy,” Riquelme said. “It is a very special day to enjoy.”
Messi and his family are going to take a trip before the middle of July, which is also when he is scheduled to be introduced as a new player for Inter Miami. “First, I’ll start off in my new city and new club, excited and very happy. Then, I’ll go on a vacation that I’ve been looking forward to taking with my family.”