Juan Roman Riquelme has decided to call time on his playing career.
The legendary Argentine midfielder featured for Barcelona and Villareal, as well as playing for Boca Juniors at three different times.
Riquelme was seriously linked with a move to the Major League Soccer, but he has confirmed to ESPN in Argentina that he is retiring.
“I have decided to no longer play football,” the 36-year-old said.
“Now I am just a fan. I will go and suffer in the stadium. I am very pleased with the career I had.
“I enjoyed football to the maximum. I hope the people have enjoyed it alongside me. I tried to have a good time.
“I tried to give everything I could to fans of Boca, Argentina, Villarreal and Barcelona, in the youth teams and the full team.
“I am someone who makes decisions calmly, who thinks a lot. It’s clear now that I’ll be on holiday, I’ll have fun, enjoy time with my children.
“From now on my football life ends and a new life starts. Let’s see what it holds.”
Riquelme won five league titles as well as three Copa Libertadores with Boca Juniors and also lifted the Intertoto Cup twice at Villarreal and was named Argentina’s player of the year four times, first in 2000 and last in 2011.
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