All the futbolitos we’ve spoken to from Argentina (who support Boca – disculpe Independiente fans!) share the same level affection for Juan Roman Riquelme, who is easily one of the club’s most respected players. We can also reveal that he’s a very level-headed hombre, and for that reason, has struck a chord with many football fans.
Riquelme recently won the Argentinean title with Boca Juniors and spoke up about the football culture in Argentina, where kids often run on the streets in their adorable “commentary” voices and imitate their favourite footballers!
“I was lucky enough to grow up during the era of (Diego) Maradona’s, who all Argentinians consider the greatest player ever. After watching him play I used to run out onto the street with my mates, get the ball and pretend that I was him. I’d be commentating on myself and saying “Maradona has the ball”, stuff like that. Now that’s what my son’s like with (Lionel) Messi: he starts kicking the ball and saying “Messi’s on the ball”. For people my age, Maradona is the main man. But for younger generations, like my boy, Messi’s their hero.
via FIFA & Reuters
