If He Wants to be Pampered, MLS is Riquelme’s Only Option

By: Daryl | November 21st, 2007

Riquelme to MLS The only thing that matches Juan Roman Riquelme’s heavenly talents is his hellishly bad attitude, hence Villarreal’s decision to not just bench him but freeze him out of the first team altogether. Ives Galarcep recently noted that Juan Roman Riquelme is just a few weeks away from freedom when the January transfer window opens and someone, somewhere must want to take a gamble on his talents. “Where would you like to see Riquelme go?” Galarcep asks. “Inter? Juve? Atletico Madrid? Tottenham? The Red Bulls?” He’s half-joking about that last one, but MLS would be the perfect place for Riquelme. And here’s why:

Riquelme needs to be indulged. His best days at Villarreal came when the team revolved around him. He didn’t have to tackle, didn’t have to mark, didn’t really have to run if he didn’t fancy it. All that boring stuff was done for him by someone else, and he was basically free to do all the playmaking. They let him slide off the field too, turning up late or missing training, not questioning any suspicious injuries etcetera. Riquelme ultimately abused Villarreal’s indulgence and took it too far, but while it worked it was fantastic. He was Villarreal’s Designated Player even though there’s no such thing in La Liga.

So why not join an MLS team and enjoy the lifestyle of a genuine Designated Player? He’s not going to get the same kind of treatment at any of the big European teams, or even the middling ones. Well run clubs just aren’t prepared to bend over backwards for one players anymore, and with good reason. If, as rumoured, he goes to Juventus, Inter, Spurs or Man City then he’ll have to pull his weight. They’ll - gasp - make him turn up for training just like all the other players. Can you imagine? But if he went to MLS he could be a Designated Player in the very literal sense. Want to talk about being center of attention? The league scheduled all LA Galaxy’s fixtures around David Beckham this season.

And unlike Beckham (so far anyway) Riquelme would absolutely dominate MLS. He’s long been labelled a “flat-track bully” meaning he’s outstanding against smaller teams but struggles when facing a quality team who man mark him (see Brazil 3-0 Argentina in the 2007 Copa America final.) In MLS he could flat-track bully teams every week, to his heart’s content. Obviously he’d get loads of money (maybe not Beckham money, but still good money) and the MLS season means he’d only have to work six months a year, with winters off.

If Riquelme joined any MLS team he’d obviously be playing at a level below what he’s capable of, and in that sense it would be a bad move. But in terms of lifestyle, he’d get that total subservience and total acknowledgment that he’s the star man he enjoyed so much at Villarreal, with the added bonus that not just his team but the entire league has a stake in keeping him happy.