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Former Argentina international Riquelme retires

Xinhua, January 26, 2015 Adjust font size:

Former Argentina international Juan Roman Riquelme announced his retirement on Sunday.

Riquelme had played 51 times for Argentina's national team and also starred in Spain La Liga with Villarreal and Barcelona since 2002-2003 season.

The 36-year-old Riquelme was regarded as "the last traditional No.10" in the world, he was a great passer and long-range shooter, but always was excluded by the coach who adores mercenary soccer.

As an Argentina international, Riquelme played in the 2006 World Cup in Germany and led Argentina to gold in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

In June of 2014, Riquelme left Boca Juniors and played a few matches with second-division Argentinos Juniors.

Argentinos Juniors was promoted back to the first division at the end of last year, and Riquelme said part of his retirement hinged on not wanting to face his beloved Boca.

"I only want to fight for Boca in the Argentina first-division league," Riquelme said, "I will be a spectator form now on, while my footballer career ends." Endi