Riquelme hopes to play with Messi again

Midfielder Juan Román Riquelme vowed today to play “another 100 matches” with Boca Juniors and said he hopes to play for the national football team alongside superstar Lionel Messi.

“I know that I depend on my performance in Boca and of my teammates and I have no doubt that if things go well I will wear my country’s jersey,” he said while talking to reporters.

“I hope to play alongside Messi again and allow Argentina to classify to the Brazil World Cup. Messi is the best player in the world. As I child I wanted to see Maradona play and nowadays my son Agustín wants Messi to handle the ball because something is bound to happen.”

Regarding Apertura tournament champions Boca, Riquelme says he plans to reach a record number of matches. Defence Roberto Mouzo hold the record with 426 matches played in the Argentine club.

“I have had the possibility of playing in Brazil, but my heart is stronger. I am bostero (Boca fan), I am going to die bostero and will play another 100 matches. I will try hard and will play for a long time,” he predicted.

Riquelme a talented midfielder who is notoriously averse to press, was key in the first half of the tournament, although an injury in his foot prevented him from playing more matches.