Juan Roman Riquelme established himself as one of many best attacking midfielders of his technology within the 2000s, shining brightest in his four-year spell.
Initially becoming a member of on mortgage, the Argentine guided the Yellow Submarine to the Champions League semi-finals, main a workforce containing Marcos Senna, Diego Forlan and a younger Santi Cazorla.
His European days have been over on the age of simply 29 after heading dwelling to Boca Juniors in 2007, nonetheless, it might simply have gone otherwise for the diminutive Argentine.
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Juan Roman Riquelme reveals Manchester United curiosity
Juan Roman Riquelme in motion for Argentina on the 2006 World Cup (Picture credit score: Alamy)
Talking in a latest interview, Riquelme revealed that he got here near becoming a member of Premier League giants Manchester United previous to his transfer again to Argentina , with Sir Alex Ferguson himself personally speaking to the Villarreal president concerning the transfer.
Chatting with Argentine outlet TyC Sports activities , Riquelme revealed conversations that have been had following the 2006 Champions League semi-final tie in opposition to Arsenal .
“We performed the semi-final with Arsenal in England and he (Ferguson) was on the resort,” he stated.
“He spoke with the president of Villarreal and there was Daniel (Bolotnicoff), who’s my consultant. He was there as a result of he had gone to purchase me. They completed the assembly and Dani says to me: ‘He desires to say hi there.’
Sir Alex Ferguson was reportedly eager on the playmaker (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
“He got here to purchase. Then I say to him: ‘What did you inform him?’ And there he solutions: ‘The sports activities metropolis, El Madrigal (stadium), is on the market… the whole lot is on the market, besides Riquelme.
“There I advised my consultant: ‘Inform Ferguson that I’ll always remember these 5 minutes in my life once more, however that if the president doesn’t need to promote me, I’ll keep in Villarreal.’ So, I greeted him and I went to have a mate.
“Then we needed to go play the Audi Cup with Boca in Germany and he went to the press convention. He stated that It had been true that he wished to purchase me and that each time they go to purchase a Manchester United participant, they need them to reply like me.”
The Purple Devils as an alternative signed Michael Carrick from Tottenham that summer time and the remainder is historical past.
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