Hailed as the “last real number 10”, Juan RIQUELME gave an interview to Spanish newspaper Marca where he commented about Argentina’s match vs. Spain, the World Cup and more.
Having played alongside both Lionel MESSI and Andres INIESTA, the Boca legend weighed in on what he thinks of the two players. The following is the interview from Marca.
You will see the Spain v Argentina match on television at home. How do you see this game going?
“Argentina are very excited and I hope MESSI can play to the fullest. And I hope INIESTA too as he’s the one who plays the best ball of all. If those two monsters are on the pitch, fun is assured. We’ll see something nice, for sure.”
For you, Leo and Andres, are still the two best, right?
“For me and for all football fans, I think. Messi is the best in the world and Andres, the one who understands the game better, the one who sees down there on the pitch everything we see sitting in the stands or in the armchair at home. He sees the same thing… but being on the grass and with the ball! Amazing.
“They are the two best. I love watching them play and all I want is for the time of the game to arrive and for people to enjoy and have fun, because that’s what football is for.”
Has Andres been at the same level over the years?
“INIESTA is unique, and you have to enjoy him a lot, because when he doesn’t play anymore, we will miss him. I don’t know if we will be lucky enough to see something similar. Did you see the pass that he gave to RODRIGO against Germany? It was fabulous.
“Only he does that. What happens is that we get used to it and it looks normal, but when he’s not there, we’ll say: ‘Do you remember the passes Andres gave?’ Nobody else is going to give them. For me, seeing him control the ball, pass the ball… it’s a luxury. Those who like to watch football should be grateful to Andres.”
How do you see the battle of styles between La Roja and your country?
“Spain has a known style, always trying to have more possession than the opponent. And Argentina is still looking for a way to play. The World Cup is short and SAMPAOLI is still trying to complete the squad list, and then build a team. The match is very good for my country to know what level it is at and if it can compete with the best.
“I hope that Argentina will improve, but the style of Spain has been defined for some time. Argentina is still in that process of finding a team, which is the most difficult.”
What about Lautaro MARTINEZ, the new pearl from Argentina? Is he that good?
“We are excited about him. In the Argentine league he makes the difference. I hope he keeps growing, learning from HIGUAIN, MESSI and AGUERO.”
The ’10’ of Argentina is MESSI, but, conceptually, it’s RIQUELME…
“This team is still being formed. We hope that in those 30 days of the World Cup, MESSI is well. If Leo is fine, he is capable of everything. For the first time he comes rested to a World Cup, without having played everything, and that is an advantage. He will be physically better than in other World Cups.”
Do we expect an offensive Argentina on Tuesday?
“I hope it is a great game, that Argentina try to attack and play well, because we know that Spain will not change. They may miss BUSQUETS, but if MESSI plays, there is an obligation to attack. We are very happy that Leo is Argentine.”
If he had chosen Spain…”
[Laughs] Surely, with him, Spain would have had more chances to win another World Cup. He has many colleagues from Barcelona, he trains there every day, they know each other. He would be an advantage, but… he’s Argentine!”
Do you see any other favourites?
“I see Brazil as very strong. They’re playing well and have NEYMAR. Germany can do well and always fight. France, too… but Brazil are very strong.”
Besides Messi, is there not another player like Neymar?
“MESSI, Cristiano RONALDO and NEYMAR are on a level above the rest. These players will not be repeated anymore. They can make a difference in the World Cup.”
On the topic of RIQUELME, here’s a fun little fact from the 2006 FIFA World Cup:
99% – Juan Román Riquelme recorded a passing accuracy of 99% against Serbia in Germany 2006 – the highest passing accuracy for players to record 100+ passes in a match (104/105 completed, since 1966 only). Master. pic.twitter.com/mptLakTfSJ
— OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) March 21, 2018
all I know is if Iniesta and Xavi were in our team we would pit them against each other and would insist on Biglia to play instead.
one of them wouldn’t make the squad for sure.
Goal keepers:- Romero Cabellero Guzman
DF:- Otamendi Fazio Mercado TAGLIAFICO bustos Rojo Acuna
MF:- biglia banega mascherano LOCELSO lanzini dimaria perotti paredes
FWD:- messi higuain aguero pavon lautaro martinez
This may change slightly due to form & performances and injuries
But for now it looks like some important players are going to miss the plane to Russia (only 23 to be there..so not to blame sampaoli..he is just taking those who are good for team-game around messi)—-
Let’s who are going to miss probably___
Gk- Rulli Armani Merchesin
DF:-
#Funes mori Pezella Musacchio Mammana Garay E.Schelotto
MF:-
Eduardo salvio P.perez M.meza E.perez E.lamela Ascacibar A.GOMEZ R.perreyra pastore vazquez p.piatti G.pizzaro
FWd:- #DYBALA #ICARDI #J.correa #A.correa
Pratto Alario
Probables may change due to great performance and worst performance
And injuries too
arg2018, its better to play dybala than Icardi. Since both Icardi nd higuin hav no pace nd they are bad in pressing
Dybala should be our striker or RW, if Aguero is injured. So put higuin in bench. Martinez should be tested in upcoming 3friendlies.
Dimaria supports Messi to the core but hes always injury prone and cant be trusted, hence Lanzini and perroti should be in world cup
Pavon can be a surprise player for Argentina.
Lo celso and Banega can be trusted with their club form
My team for World Cup
GK – WILLY, ROMERO, GUZMAN (Romero bad in judging free kicks and corner kicks)
Defence if 7 in WC
RB – Buston Sub Mercado/Salvio
CB – Otamendi, Fazio, (Rojo/Mori/Mercado)
LB – Tagliafico sub Acuna
Mid if 8 In WC
Banega
Locelso
Mascherano can cover cb like Busquets for barca, when full baks go attacks
Biglia/ Pizzaro/ Enzo
Paredes
Pablo/ Meza
Lanzini
Dimaria if not injured
ATTACK IF 5
MESSI
Pavon
Perroti
Aguero if injured (A. CORREA/Martinez)
Dybala ST/RW
Messi is not the only playmaker number in this team. Otamendi and Maschereno have both great passing skill and good vision. They ensure the transition. In front of them, Lo Celso and Banega are in charge of keeping the ball, controlling the game, initiating the attacks and combining with Messi. Next to Messi, will be either Di Maria or Lanzini, both of them can play as winger and as attacking midfielder. Aguero has a quite special role with his club, he can play in a less advanced position in order to crate assists for his wingers.
So in total there are 7 players(over 10) who have great passing skill and vision. I believe that they can do something in this world cup.
if we had a iniesta …..
Off the topic, as for no. 9 for Argentina team, we should play Higuain until final where is start making mistakes. Augero should be told he needs to work hard for the team to get his place. Also bring both dybala and Icardi for the world cup as they could be vital for final or super sub. Di maria should not be taken to world cup as he injured more than anyone and also play with himself rather than with team.
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