ARGENTINA: Riquelme returns to Argentina, signs with Boca Juniors football club

Midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme returns to Argentina and signs with Boca Juniors, eyes spot of national team for 2010. Saying he was happy to return home, midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme completed on Thursday (November 29) his transfer back to his former team Boca Juniors from Spanish club Villarreal. "Today I'm living a very nice day, just like I did a few months ago when I came home because this is my home, this is my team," he said at a news conference with Boca Juniors officials. "I'm going to have the good luck to put my jersey on again that I've been missing for months." Mobbed by fans and press, the mercurial playmaker Riquelme arrived to his native Argentina earlier in the day. Riquelme, who helped Boca win the Libertadores Cup for the sixth time earlier this year on loan from Villarreal, said his contract would be through 2010. Rumors say the transfer involved some $15 million. A falling out with Villarreal's coach Manuel Pellegrini had left Riquelme out of action since midway through last season. Riquelme said he was looking forward to regular participation in matches. "Today Riquelme has the good luck to be a normal player the same as the rest," he said. "He's going to be able to train everyday with the hope of being able to play on Sunday, something I haven't been doing." Argentina national team coach Coco Basile called on Riquelme earlier in the year for a recent round of World Cup qualifiers, where the midfielder played strongly. Riquelme also said a return to Argentina will help him win a spot for Argentina at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

ITN Source | December 1, 2007

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