How GOOD was Juan Roman Riquelme? ● Skills & Analysis

In-depth tactical analysis of Argentina's last 10... Juan Roman Riquelme. A look back at his tactical development at Argentinos Juniors, Boca, Barca, Villarreal and Argentina.
ARGENTINOS JUNIORS: 00:14
BOCA JUNIORS: 00:42
FC BARCELONA: 04:48
VILLARREAL: 09:12
ARGENTINA: 12:10
CONCLUSION: 20:48
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#Riquelme #Bocajuniors #Villarreal #Barcelona #Argentina
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[@PythagorasinBoots]

WEBSITE ► www.pythagorasinboots.com INSTAGRAM ► @pythaginboots TWITTER ► twitter.com/pythaginboots

[@frankmaselli6436]

By far the greatest player and last number 10 my fav player of all time

[@themothernature]

the best

[@hayzmusic9303]

💯

[@Diabolotherium]

I grew up in Argentina in the 90s and early 00s. Riquelme was my fútbol ídolo and a player that made me love the game. I followed Boca and J R Riquelme for his entire career, even saw him live a few times. Thanks for the video, I don't think english speaking footie channels give El Topogigo enough credit

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Glad you enoyed it - where are you based now?

[@Diabolotherium]

@@PythagorasinBoots now in Houston Texas. Luckily get to still watch a ton of football

[@PythagorasinBoots]

@@Diabolotherium USA has better coverage than we do and for cheaper.

[@Diabolotherium]

@@PythagorasinBoots where you based?

[@PythagorasinBoots]

@@Diabolotherium Birmingham UK. Do you watch any MLS? Or only European and South American soccer?

[@bohabbibab5858]

Messi was not the only player Pekerman could have brought on in 2006 against Germany. In fact, Aimar would have been a much better choice. Criminally underused.

[@lperea21]

Still think 2006 Argentinian team was my favorite. I don't care if they didn't win the cup

[@CarlosRojas-hr6ms]

I still hate Riquelme to this day because he limited Aimar so much in the national team. Neither could cut it at the top level in Europe

[@lperea21]

@@CarlosRojas-hr6ms yeah Riquelm was a pissy guy. But I still miss his playing style

[@gliptodonte_]

Bielsa, as Van Gaal, had that team concept where all players must attack, and all players must defend. Van Gaal literally said to Riquelme: "When you have the ball you are the best player in the world. When you don't have the ball, the team have one player less". Riquelme was more like a traditional 10, he didn't fit well in that team concept. BTW: Van Gaal said something pretty similar about Messi before the match between Argentina and Netherlands in Qatar 2022, and that's why Messi showed him the "Topo gigio" goal celebration, a Riquelme's trademark.

[@leemc5646]

Van Gaal did similar with Rivaldo he didn't trust him to player centrally so put him on the left So if he lost the ball the team wouldn't be as exposed. Rivaldo ignored Van Gaals tactics and just use to come inside anyway.

[@alandkamaran6231]

Still the best playmaker I've ever seen, personally there's no one else like him, so gentle with the ball, too calm, too soft, god i miss watching him play💔

[@zlk]

Riquelme's game was evolving and was going to reach its peak in 2007, at 28, 29, where most creative midfielders reach their prime. Sadly he returned to south america in his prime and we never saw him in europe at his best. From 2007 an on, he added new skills to his game he didn't have before. And he indeed became a matchwinner. You can see that in libertadores 2007 and in copa america in venezuela he was by far the best argentine player, and he was sharing the field with "european" stars. He also had chronical injuries very few people has talked about. Some spine problems and a plantar fasciitis, that could explain why he changed so much in plasticity from 2001 when he used to dribble like Rivaldo, to his time in europe when he moved like a robot sometimes and almost didn't use his step on skills he was famous for. Very nice work here!

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Thanks for that information Jose, very insightful and fair points made about how playmakers do tend to age and mature later on in years. There has been much said about Riquelme’s lack of professionalism during the later stages of his tenure at Villarreal and for me that raises question marks on his mentality and whether it is as elite as Iniesta it Zidane to name a few... instead of feeling aggrieved at missing out on CL glory and World Cup glory, and using it as fuel to get better he was content with what he had achieved in Europe which ultimately was no silverware and thus I am not fully convinced a prolonged tenure in Europe would have seen him win a major trophy.

[@zlk]

@@PythagorasinBoots yeah, his personality was his worst enemy. Interesting fact, he had everything arranged with Real Madrid, after Zidane's retirement. Bernd Schuster, who was Madrid's coach and Florentino said yes, but Mijatovic and the group: Raul, Guti, Salgado, etc said No. Guti hated Riquelme. Would've been interesting to see him there.

[@antoniomoreno3142]

@@PythagorasinBoots I don't believe zidane and iniesta could achieved what riquelme did with boca junior ..remember zidane at juventus lost vs real and Dortmund . iniesta have great player too at barcelona .

[@PythagorasinBoots]

@@antoniomoreno3142 Zidane could have played for any team in the world and done what he did. There is less of an argument for Iniesta who is more of a system player and needed that perfect environment at Barcelona to be at his best. He doesn’t quite have the personality type to carry a team like Boca on his shoulders and be the main man. On the flip side he was able to excel at Barca and for Spain in a very team orientated system where Riquelme would not have been able to. Two very different players who suit different types of Philosophy and team set ups.

[@antoniomoreno3142]

@@PythagorasinBoots what happened at juventus ? Do you think he could beat real madrid with boca juniors , you have to remember with juventus never happened also when he was part of the galacticos juventus destroyed zidane , raul , ronaldo , figo , roberto carlos . now zidane was great player at great club too. I would love to see if would be successful at napoli , fiorentina , villareal , betis , roma even Lyon.

[@arturodavidcola7626]

Riquelme is magic

[@PythagorasinBoots]

He sure is mate, let me know if you have any suggestions for future videos.

[@faraazkhan90]

Physically zidane was better (acceleration, strength and power) both players had great reaction time and balance. Like zidane, riquelme balance was incredible you couldn't get the ball of him. In terms of technical ability, I think riquelme was more gifted, both players had a great first touch and ball control, both were elegant, but riquelme overall ball mastery and coordination was superior. Don't forget zidane had deceptive speed, he was quick off the mark and agile. On the other hand riquelme had no speed, he was pure technical ability. Plus, he had superior vision and passing range.

[@glorialuna3633]

Dont be smoking to much weed my friend technically was good but not close to zidane no way

[@kadzarif]

@@glorialuna3633 You must be on crack cocaine. Riquelme was superior. Unfortunately, he didn't have the right coach at Barcelona (van Gaal) to get the best out of him.

[@dragsterairide4459]

@@kadzarif yes Riquelme was better, better goal per game ratio (.25 vs .17) , better free kicks, more free kicks, better corners, more assists, and guy was pure magician, stop it with Zidane, he ruined Zidane in his last game in Real, but we all know Zidane doesn't always hold his composure...Head Butt LOL

[@architchaudhary1285]

@@glorialuna3633 They were about equal technically. Zidane might have had a slightly better touch, but Riquelme's vision and passing ability was different level. You are smoking if you think there is much a gap between them on the ball.

[@moisesvallejo4095]

Excelent 👍 rigth on

[@brosephyolonarovichstalin2915]

Brilliant video I always loved Riquelme. He had glue on his boots. Amazing player, just so beautiful to watch.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Couldn't agree more!

[@embaubaatelier]

The guy won the 2007 Copa Libertadores (and made the finals in 2012) pretty much by himself so I'm not so sure about that "not being a winner" thing but great analysis nevertheless.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

A winner where the standard of the competition was weaker yes. Whereas first Boca stint he led them to top of the world but he never lived up to that level in terms of comparing to the other great number 10s in history. A excellent career nonetheless.

[@DTTaTa]

@@PythagorasinBoots libertadores is much harder to win than the champions league bro.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

@@DTTaTa no one believes that unless they are super biased.

[@DTTaTa]

@@PythagorasinBoots well you can ask players who played both like tevez, neymar, roman, deco, milito. You are confusing the level of the teams with the difficulty to win the competition. You can see it easily in the amount of titles won by powerfull teams in champions league and in libertadores. In Ucl you have teams with 13, 7, 6, 6, 5. In libertadores you have one team with 7, one with 6 and then all 3 or bellow. In copa libertadores you have to travel huge distances to play, sometines traveling maybe 14h or more. You have to go play in 4000 meters altitude. You have to play in crazy stadium atmospheres and shitty pitchs. When you go to play away you cant sleep because the opposite team fans lunch fireworks at your hotel, you get violent situations pre game, in game and post game. The pressure is way more. In europe watching a football match is like going to the theater, in south america is more like a gladiator type situation. Also in terms of futbol teams are much more rough with each other, there is not much space for playing good football. You can see this when players from europe come to play in south america they have a hard time. In the same way that south american world CUP classifications are harder than europe the copa libertadores is harder to win than the champions.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

@@DTTaTa Explain to me then how Riquelme begins to struggle at Villarreal and then goes back to South America to finish his career, likewise likes of Romario, Veron - a player who was past his prime in europe, with a series of flop moves due to not being in his prime and then dominates South America. Or a Neymar who was dominating there prior to hitting his physical peak. All the descriptions you spoke about are fair points but the same applies in lower league football say in England - not saying it is the same standard, but you often see more gladiatorial type fixtures when the quality is not as difficult to compensate and the region also plays a role, south american football is more passionate but then again so is Turkish football - does that mean the league is more competitive or of a higher standard than say EPL? no it does not. No one who is serious about analysing football and being unbiased would say that the Copa represents the pinnacle of football in terms of quality and difficulty level - in the modern era. Once upon a time it would have been, but since the exodus of players to Europe, it simply is not true.

[@daviddelavega5550]

I enjoyed your analysis breakdown of Riquelme, however your analysis comes up a bit short. You don’t point out that Riquelme was pivotal in winning three Copa Libertadores with Boca Juniors as well as making the final in the 2007 Copa America final. I would agree with you when you said Riquelme was a facilitating player, rather than a finishing player, however I must point out two observations. One, Riquelmes job was to be a setup man and as he matured he added more goals to his resume. Missing a penalty in the semifinals of the 2005 is a bit unjust as anyone can miss a penalty and does not prove your position that you take of Riquelme not being in comparison to Zico, Platini, Zidane, etc. He put on a clinic in the second leg match against Inter Milan. During the 2007 Copa Libertadores Riquelme would go on to score three goals in the final home and away against Gremio, and many football critics said that he almost won the Cup by himself; putting the team on his shoulders many a time during the tournament. It is my opinion, that his view and understanding of the game is unparalleled only to the likes of Iniesta and Zidane. Both of which hold Riquelme in very high esteem. Nonetheless your comparison of Riquelme is the best I’ve ever heard of an English speaking analysis, besides of course, my own... Cheers!

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Thank you for your comments David. For me the South American game by the mid noughties had fallen behind of the European game in terms of competitive level and thus whilst Riquelme’s achievements were noteworthy I have to be honest and state I do not hold them in the same esteem as his level of performance when Boca took on a strong Real Madrid side and outplayed them in the Intercontinental Cup. 7 years is a long time in football and by that stage the European game was most certainly stronger. I also stand by the point that Riquelme’s performance against Arsenal was symbolic of his ‘nearly man’ status away from South American football. You have to remember he’s being compared to players of a similar ilk in terms of talent but with complete resumes and proven effective competitors at the upper echelon of the game - thus whilst the artist in me wants to put him on the same pedestal as them, the analyst in me has to be objective and admit his overall CV falls short compared to the greatest 10s to play the game.

[@romanriquelme3139]

@@PythagorasinBoots South american footballer of the year 2001 but not selected for the 2002 world cup. Lost confed final 2005, penalty miss in 2006 vs arsenal otherwise Villareal in final. If not substituted for cambiasso in 2006 Argentina in semi final maybe even further. Lost Copa america 2007 final. Now if all these were victories people would remember him otherwise. But for pure football fans he his a Legend.And his performance against Inter in 2006 quarter final is the finest no 10 performance i have ever seen. Silverware is not everything. Sometime a player just touches you in a way you cant describe and Riquelme had that magic touch period

[@MrRockleyend]

@johcru14 against Madrid and Bayern with Boca Juniors. Against Palmeiras at the Libertadores 2000.

[@romanriquelme3139]

@johcru14 the champions league matches from 05/06. 2005 confed cup against germany. 2004 against AZ..he completly destroyed them.Against Real madrid 2006 away. 2008 against River plate away.

[@architchaudhary1285]

@@romanriquelme3139 The CL playoff against Everton, the 04/05 match against Barcelona. A few games against Valencia.

[@aliabdallah8279]

I am from Syria..because of the time difference between us and Argentina, I used to stay up late at night with my friends to watch it..after Riquelme we never stayed up

[@PythagorasinBoots]

He’s definitely the type of player that you would stay up all night just to watch play.

[@beejj6190]

This will be a little sophisticated for your average football fan, but some great 'tactical illustrations' analysis with the 'team on pitch' computer pieces - very unique. The main thing is players can be different of course and still great. Riquelme had a few deficiencies that stopped him being an out and out individual match -winner. But his ability to be the heartbeat / play maker of a team was as good as anyone. Yes, he may be short of the 'match -winning ATGs', but quite a few elements he brought to the game (as an individual) were, again as good as anyone ever...and that's the best tribute I can give him... : )

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Have to agree with all that. One of those players who was very close to being the player of his generation but for small reasons didn't hit that level but nevertheless left behind a mesmeric legacy which is why I took the time out to make a 20 min video on him :P

[@beejj6190]

@@PythagorasinBoots Well done, kiddo! Keep it going! ; )

[@crispy_bagel693]

Im still salty about 2006. Shoulda played both riquelme and messi. That team was unbelievable.

[@tayybakes4811]

Been waiting for ages for you to make a video, definitely worth the wait

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Let’s hope the next one doesn’t take as long!

[@petershulman4024]

Splendid--really appreciate the overview and contextualization of his career. My sense is that a team had to be entirely built around his weaknesses--that it would be essentially 10 v. 11 defensively, but if you found the right mix (which had to have a killer striker), it could be glorious. That game against Germany is still haunting, as that Albiceleste were absolutely wonderful to watch. Key underappreciated moment was the goaltender having to be subbed, which left Pekerman between a rock and hard place. Man, getting sad again just thinking about that. Thanks again, really thoughtful work.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

One of my worst ever football memories. That Argentina side is one of my favourite non winning World Cup teams of all time. He was the architect that made it so beautiful to watch.

[@daleecco4970]

love this video bud, more detail than I've seen any 'professional' get, great job

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Thanks Dale - I am back on KZbin now and ready to make some more vids - watch this space.

[@nudelsuppe113]

great video, very in-depth analysis, very easy to follow you through it, keep up the good work man

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Thanks bud, much appreciated - hopefully a lot more to come, let me know if any classical players you would like me to do!

[@mashwork6615]

Another fantastically detailed video from you guys. Love how you start from the very beginning and follow the chronological order of a players career. Riquelme was a magician with the ball. Strong technically superb shielded it very well. But I have to agree with you on the point of his physical limitations it’s such a shame someone that gifted had to be that limited physically which probably capped his ceiling as a player. He never took on the match winning go to guy mantle which for me stops him from entering the great 10s bracket with zico platini etc. How weird are Argentina tho? They could’ve easily fielded midfields of Redondo Veron and Riquelme, that would’ve been incredible what a shame.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Argentina is a nation beset by too much politics when it comes to picking their football sides. It prevents them from picking their best lineups and they constantly overcomplicate things as we saw with not picking a guy like Zanetti more often. Veron and Riquelme could have worked IMO.. one operated much deeper than the other.

[@maryalove5534]

@@PythagorasinBoots (: I agree ... ☺

[@EduardoSilva-ki6bg]

Riquelme sempre foi genial

[@PythagorasinBoots]

He will never be forgotten!

[@mesicek7]

Really loving your player analysis cheers

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Thanks bud - much appreciated 👍

[@pse161]

woah man great video , and in depth too

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Glad you liked it!

[@marcossenna4612]

Riquelme he was amazing. He can finally sleep happily when Rulli saved the pen

[@soumyadeepbanerjee964]

Great video!

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@riniones]

Riquelme could win a match pretty much on his own. Even injured. He has done it multiple times for Boca Jrs. both for Copa Libertadores and the local Argentine championship. Bianchi placed him a few meters into the forward position during a time when Palermo had been transferred and he scored plenty of great goals but he was always, primarily, a playmaker. Great video. Thanks!

[@AnonNomad]

Fantastic video on one of my favourite players.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Mine too! Any other classical players you would like to see.

[@AnonNomad]

@@PythagorasinBoots I'd love to hear your take on Fernando Redondo.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

@@AnonNomad damn that’s a brilliant shout. One of my favourite midfielders ever. Noted.

[@stemcg1983]

Just found your channel I love it will be catching up with all the vids. Can I ask what photoshop filter/effect you use for your player thumbnails. It looks wicked

[@PythagorasinBoots]

There’s a host of cartoonising apps on the net, they’re usually paid ones - I recommend using one which suits the look you’re going for.

[@dinosaur_kl]

ഞങ്ങൾ അർജന്റീന ഫാൻസിന് Riquelme എന്നാൽ അത് പറഞ്ഞറിയിക്കാൻ പറ്റാത്ത ഒരു വികാരമാണ് 🔥🔥 മനസ്സിൽ മായാത്ത ഒരു വിങ്ങലും 💔

[@Whiteqin]

EXTREMLEY UNDERRATED VIDEO

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Thanks bud ❤️

[@MrX-lg5ox]

Wonderful channel. Keep doing these videos bro especially on classical players. I hope you do Baggio next

[@PythagorasinBoots]

That's the plan! Once I have my new laptop, I have a backlog of videos I want to get started on and release!

[@jrrboca5247]

Even though not I'm not fully agreed with your assessment, you did a great job.👍

[@PythagorasinBoots]

I’ve also very much enjoyed our debate. I think we can both agree he’s a very special player and certainly one of the most gifted playmakers of all time and hopefully this video can draw more youngsters to watching more footage of him play 👍

[@cliffordojinnaka6593]

The fact that you did a painstaking job, cheers to that.... But reguelme is a magic, he is the very best to ever play the game, his moves are second to none, the fact that he has an attitude problem that's all, he left Europe at the apogee of his career, return back to boy hood club, and did wonders with Boca junior, I think you are not fair on reguelme for saying he never win matches kindly watch more of his videos, the topic should be his inability to win the world football of the year , because he should have won such had he been a little lucky to establish himself in Barcelona, the comparizsm with him zidane n inesta, is coming on what basics, zidane played in the Golden Madrid era, likewise inesta in Barcelona... Riguelme was at Villarreal what the hell do you expect him to achieve with such a team.......with Boca junior he dominated the skilful south American league, win the best player's of the league in so many occasions, led the iconic Boca juniors team to series of south American titles , please kindly run a better research on Juan roman riguelme before devaluing him ok

[@bonchengj_sangma8413]

He played too good that made me think he's Maradona's brother or new Maradona.

[@specialone6591]

Great video

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Thanks Paul much appreciated!

[@keanieboy7316]

Him and forlan broke my heart in champions league but what a player

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Mine too... absolutely loved that team 😟

[@keanieboy7316]

@@PythagorasinBoots they put my team out in the last 16 on away goals 😭

[@aliwigol9]

amazing .. thank you .

[@nieczerwony]

He was maestro of the game. Just like conductor in the orchestra show.

[@taa6682]

First time in this channel wow I'm impressed

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Cheers bud - spread the word and let us know if you have any content ideas for us to do!

[@KingKong-ee8hc]

This was a great analysis of riquelme

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Thanks 🙏 - any other classic player you would like to see?

[@memphis5684]

I love listening to your voice it just makes the video relaxing and interesting to watch

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Hopefully not too relaxed... we need you to stay awake for the whole video! Check out our podcast if you like the audio :)

[@memphis5684]

@@PythagorasinBoots i‘m gonna check it out. Video was just right did not get too sleepy

[@PythagorasinBoots]

@@memphis5684 Let us know what you think!

[@wenderis]

Excellent! Enjoyed this one and the Rivaldo one. Maybe like the Rivaldo one a bit more, because I never really rate him highly. I was wrong. These Argentinians #10 after Maradona are just fascinating to study and discuss. The likes of Ortega, Aimar, D'Allesandro, etc are all enigmatic almost by nature. Probably do one of those Argentinian #10 next? Or a legendary number 9 who many perceive lack of technique and flair, i.e., Batigol, Nistelrooy, Shearer, etc.

[@carlomorelli1785]

Solid analysis on my favorite player of all time. As a Boca fan, I commend the effort you put into the details of the games with Maradona (very hard to find) and the game against Real. I did notice a small detail you missed, tho it wasn't about Roman directly, so I understand: during the World Cup 2006 match against Germany, I feel like one of the biggest factors for the loss that we felt (as Boca fans) was not just the removal of Riquelme, but also the injury sustained soon after by Abondanzieri. Forcing a sub on our main goalie, which brought in the equalizer and greatly diminished our chances in penalties. Incredible video, subbed and excited for more analysis videos💪💙💛💙

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Very good point on the keeper. Funnily enough I did remember that point coming into my head when watching the game back but by the time I’m putting all the analysis script together - totally slipped my mind 😂 but it’s a great point and would have had a major impact for sure as Abodanzieri was solid as feck in that tournament. Thanks for your kind words and let me know if you have any content you would like me to do 👍

[@moisesvallejo4095]

😧👍👍👍😎 great job brother

[@theslash9210]

A footballer who does not run has to face a lot of problems... But he was like a bull fighter a matador.. ball shielding magician

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Love this! Ball shielding magician indeed... impossible to nick the ball off him!

[@theslash9210]

@@PythagorasinBoots argentina perhaps had the best dribblers of all time maradona messi ortega roman... Make a video on ortega.. He is a forgotten argentian legend

[@PythagorasinBoots]

@@theslash9210 loved Ortega such a baller. They also had guys like Kempes and Sivori... ball stuck to them like glue and that’s before we even discuss the likes of Orsi. Always been a country which is supernaturally blessed with close control and best nation at old school dribbling IMO.

[@theslash9210]

@@PythagorasinBoots obviously how i can forget mario kempes.... Golden ball and boot winner of 78.. Had a cannon of a shot

[@Boca09tx]

Great analysis. Didn’t entirely agree with the lack of belief. I think managers were the ones who lacked belief in him in those moments. It’s almost criminal that he only played one damn world cup. I still remember the awful feeling when I saw him leave the pitch against Germany. I just wish we could have seen him play alongside Messi for more games than we did. Cheers

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Still can't believe Argentina went out with no Messi or Riquelme on the pitch!

[@3rarevolucionindustrial.in397]

Felicitaciones al admirador

[@ObvsCam93]

Excellent video! It would be amazing if you could do some on Francesco Totti and Pablo Aimar

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Once I get my new MacBook - I can start making videos again!

[@3rarevolucionindustrial.in397]

Buen análisis y aguante boca y roman. Aguante el futbol

[@revenge2now]

Riquelme is a one of a kind player. He was a world class player with the mind of a world class coach

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Get what you mean. Thought like a chess player with the ball at feet. Less so without it to be fair.

[@beyondXnOs]

A fair conclusion about Riquelme IMO also when it comes to embracing the intensity and physical demands that come with leading a squad as the 10. Indeed, a very talented "facilitator" no question but not a Trequartista who could take over a game and carry his team like a Maradona, Zico, Platini, Rivaldo, Zidane, Di Stefano, Cruif, Hagi, Eusebio, or Baggio did.

[@chorgox]

Very nice, is a pity that you didn't follow up what he did after going back to boca and play the rest of his career and international with copa america 2007 etc great stuff nevertheless

[@PythagorasinBoots]

The video would have ended up being a movie 😂 and I like to focus on growth and peaks I.e. periods where players could impact the biggest tournaments in the world - so for me the natural cut off period was 2006. If anyone has any other player suggestions let me know but I’ll probably focus on some modern ones next.

[@chorgox]

@@PythagorasinBoots cries in copa libertadores / copa america, gold medal 2008 etc ;) as a commentary Roman always said he enjoy more setting up a a goal than scoring that himself

[@braianemmanuelalagastino1915]

@@PythagorasinBoots I think his peak was in 2007 playing the "Libertadores" for Boca.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

@@braianemmanuelalagastino1915 he did play well there but it was a lower standard of competition to what he would have faced during his prime at Villarreal so I’ll have to disagree.

[@DTTaTa]

@@PythagorasinBoots you have no idea about copa libertadores if you think its somehow easier to win than the champions.

[@gustavoleguizamon6270]

He was not a matchwinner, but he made your team winning the game, so... The only pecho frío in this video is José Pékerman, I'll never forgive him because of he did that match vs Germany in 2006. He made us lose the game by changing Roman. Nobody will convice me against this idea until I die

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Me and you both bud!

[@dynamic9016]

Great player

[@sohelbashar6925]

One of the rarest good football analysis channel. Way better than craps like raymar (football casuals) with real knowlege and insights

[@PythagorasinBoots]

That’s big praise - appreciate that bud ❤️💪

[@donjuco242]

Yes!

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Reasoning?

[@donjuco242]

@@PythagorasinBoots Boca Junior Vs Real Madrid.. He Destroyed Madrid. The Last farewell game to Zidane, Riquelme stole the show. Even Zizu admitted. Riquelme is a true South America player. European clubs didn't know how to use him. And unfortunately the AFA disregard him for the world cup. He was a true champ in south america and international level for Boca. I'm not saying zidane was bad. but riquelme was a magician.

[@jrrboca5247]

My point, win or lose depend on the team, not individual. You can score 10 goals, but your teammates conceded 11 goals, your team are on the losing side. In other case, you can score only 1 goal, but your teammates played superb defence, your team win. There is a difference between zidane & defensively organized france vs riquelme & sometime impotent defensively argentina.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Look at Zidane impact at World Cup 2006. He was past his physical prime and that was a godawful French side in terms of performance level vs what was a very slick and motivated Argentina side which for once seemed on the button tactically and physically. Compare Zidane performance against Brazil against Riquelme against Brazil at the confederation cup the preceding year or any of Riquelme performances at that World Cup. Riquelme was good but Zidane at his best is one of the games all time greats.

[@jrrboca5247]

@@PythagorasinBoots The same zidane that been sent off vs Hamburg in 2001 Champions League & his Juventus lose at Group Stage. & his 2002 World Cup France. Same goes to Iniesta's 2014 WC Spain. Never happen to Riquelme's team. (Including as smaller as Villarreal) Wonder why?

[@PythagorasinBoots]

@@jrrboca5247 players are human and will all have moments in career if not hitting heights or form. You could go to Maradona 82, R9 in UCL or CR7 in certain international tournaments. The point is that the overall body of these players career confirmed their greatness. Zidane also has euro 2000 and Iniesta also has euro 2012.

[@jrrboca5247]

@@PythagorasinBoots We agree to disagree. I doesn't believe trophy determine how great that player is. I rated based on whatever he did, not his team did. & In that match, he just did good enough, have an assist.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

@@jrrboca5247 I have no criticism of him in that tournament or that game. He was mightily unlucky because of a stupid decision by the manager. My overall point is not that he necessarily performs badly in big games but that he simply lacks the overall cv of other genius playmakers. Therefore with him there are question marks - not necessarily evidence he wasn’t good enough but just that there is a grey area of where we have to guess whereas with other greats we don’t need to guess and therefore as they are proven - they objectively rank higher. Cream generally rises to the top. One bad experience shouldn’t necessarily prevent you from reaching your potential elsewhere or on another occasion if you are truly ‘GOAT’ level player. Riquelme talent wise was on these players level but mentally I do not rate him on the same level - much more flakier difficult individual.

[@daconvertiblebaby69]

17:59 what separates Zidane to riquelme on being a matchwinner? Can you explain it more? Is it just about scoring goals? Great video btw

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Sure. Zidane has a great range of dribbling technique (stepovers, v turns and more likely to include 360 spins in his dribbling - thus much harder to stop when on the run). Stronger in the air and much more likely to stick the finish or long shot under pressure in big games likewise with set pieces. Touch more pace and stamina too and mentality wise much stronger and a more likeable character who gets on with various coaches and team mates. All of that makes him the better footballer IMO.

[@daconvertiblebaby69]

@@PythagorasinBoots so overall its not just scoring but overall Zidane has abit of "edge" in his qualities despite having same traits. Also you mentioned Zidane having better mentally

[@PythagorasinBoots]

@@daconvertiblebaby69 yes pretty much but that little difference can make a massive impact in elite football. Mentality is so important at the highest level.

[@moha1900]

@@PythagorasinBoots dont compare the Legend Zidane , The Maestro Zidane with the little drunk Riquelme..Zidane even outclassed Maradona and Ronaldhino imagine what he could do to Riquelme on a good day ! The Real -Boca is not a reference bring other face -off ...no match.

[@durgeshsingh7735]

@@moha1900 Zidane will require a "Good day" to outperform Riquelme whereas Riquelme can outperform Zidane on "Any day" . Thats the difference Kid... Dont teach your father.

[@samrhodes9352]

Class video, love Riquelme wish I was able to witness him play but thanks to content like this I can learn more about him, cheers bro!

[@PythagorasinBoots]

No worries bud - happy to help!

[@jolguer27]

How old are you ? I’m 34 from Mexico . I saw him play for the first time against my favorite team club America . In the copa libertadores semifinals in 2000 and ever since I became in love with the way Riquelme played the game . A true magician .. he prove that you don’t have run almost at all to make a huge impact in the game. Best assistant I seen in my life over the like so Zidane , Messi , dhino etc

[@samrhodes9352]

@@jolguer27 I’m 18 bro turning 19 in July, that’s awesome man you’re one of the lucky ones to have watched him play. What he can do on the ball is crazy. He’s my top 5 players of all time.

[@jolguer27]

@@samrhodes9352 i do really appreciated the fact that I got yo seen him live specially in such iconic place like Estadio AZTECA . With almost 100,000 people screaming I still remember that game like if it was yesterday.

[@maxproudlock7962]

My favourite ever player. Please can you do a breakdown like you do for Maddison? Big fan of your videos

[@gabrielgonzalez3491]

have you ever seen a libertadores match? good job but a lot of misinformation. the biggest of his career was in Boca Jr. he literally won the 2007 Libertadores alone. His influence on the team was total, marked an era in Argentina with a mediocre team without great figures. Nice video anyway xD

[@PythagorasinBoots]

yes I have and if you read through the comments elswhere you will see why I don't rate that triumph as highly as the first Boca stint or what he achieved with Villarreal.

[@gabrielgonzalez3491]

@@PythagorasinBoots You gave me the feeling that you compare the best Zidane with Riquelme's worst stage. it would be more fair to use an analysis of his career at Boca. The club without him on the field won nothing. Saying he doesn't win games seemed like a mistake to me. But anyway I don't want to emphasize on this. Thx you for the contribution because very few ppl take the time to analyze this player and ik is a lot of work, But the effort is worth it if we talk about Riquelme (the best of all for me). 😎👌

[@bsasdejoda]

he won 3 copa libertadores, one of them in 2007, he won that cup alone.

[@21753117]

No one, ever, wins anything alone when talking about football. He was decisive, key, yes. But he didn't win alone.

[@laolu1151]

can you please do one on Michael Laudrup? lol been binging your vids, they're so good

[@PythagorasinBoots]

One day my friend.

[@laolu1151]

@@PythagorasinBoots thanks man i really appreciate the effort you put into these vids despite the little amount of time you have to make them i've been seeing your replies to comments regarding your life about how you have daughters to take care of & work multiple jobs, so that's crazy dedication right there thanks for these beautifully put together vids & God bless 🙏🏾

[@PythagorasinBoots]

@@laolu1151 Appreciate it Laolu - thats what makes these classic ones in particular so difficult to get out frequently.

[@renzo10199]

nunca mas salio un jugador como este

[@dreadful_name2924]

Where do you get the match footage from?

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Involves a lot of research haha.. trawling through old full games through footballia for instance or even dailymotion/KZbin. I like to watch full 90 minutes throughout the various eras to get a true sense of a players involvement in a game.

[@dreadful_name2924]

@@PythagorasinBoots I agree. Been thinking a lot about the Golden Generation and a lot of it is just highlights. So hard to tell who controlled the game from that and where battles were won and lost!

[@PythagorasinBoots]

@@dreadful_name2924 golden generation of who? England?

[@dreadful_name2924]

@@PythagorasinBoots yeah England. It’s how I found your Paul Scholes video. I’ve been seeing a lot of the ‘how didn’t that team win anything’ recently. And I can only ever remember them being careless in possession and inviting pressure from teams that were on paper quite even (Portugal for example). So I wanted to see if they ever did get the balance right or if they just didn’t have the players to do it. It’s hard to make that decision though without seeing a lot of games for context.

[@ryanwebb5082]

He is the sort of player who would be a cult hero somewhere like Newcastle, Spurs, West Ham or even Boltonin the mid-noughties. They have had these real flair players but young Juan would've been a cut above. Like Jay Jay etc. He would never get in a major EPL club because of what you correctly stated at Barcelona and the fact EVERYTHING had to go through him, he had to be the guy. His lack of work rate would've deemed him a luxury player, and the EPL was too manic for him. But what a player! He was truly up there with the mavericks like your Hagis and your stoichkovs

[@ryanwebb5082]

Or Baggio

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Stoichkov a cut above for me in terms of tier of greatness and effectiveness on big stages... he’s one of the greatest roaming forwards in the game. Stellar career for Barca and took Bulgaria to semis... Riquelme more of a genius but not as effective (different positions but pound for pound effectiveness). Stoichkov would have got into any team in world. Hagi a good shout.

[@JudgeHolden13]

Ray Hudson got me here

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Legend!

[@monazo13]

You´ve missed the 2007 Libertadores Cup, which he almost won it by himself. Then you may see what a marchwinner actually is.

[@martinfernandez1713]

Why did you left out his 2nd run with boca? In those year he won the nickname of the last 10, his abilities to control the game were phonomenal and he was the reason boca won the 2007 copa libertadores where he scored twice in the second leg of the finals

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Because at that stage he couldn’t hack it in Europe and the standard of South American football wasn’t as high as it was in early 2000s. I wanted to focus on his real prime as that would give a true comparison against likes of Zidane.

[@martinfernandez1713]

@@PythagorasinBoots as you said in the video, he never had an extraodinary physical strengh, so his real prime was in 2007 - 2011 where he had experience, south america may not have the stakes that european football has but here there is a higher pressure as the fans are more passionate and games are a lot more physical, even the media is more hardsh here as even tho he was an excepcional player they still call he "pecho frio" after winning the copa libertadores in 2007 (been the mvp of the tournament) i don't know is Riquelme was better than zidane but you should have mention his 2nd run with boca as it was his best years

[@PythagorasinBoots]

@@martinfernandez1713 I have to disagree. I concur that the South American continent has a higher degree of passion which brings its own unique pressure and his achievements in the second run are certainly laudable but there is a reason why Verón who was way past his best was able to go back and dominate - same goes for Riquelme, he was struggling to retain a spot at Villarreal - didn’t want to train as much and went back to play at a lower level. This doesn’t mean South American football has always been inferior, early 2000 we saw how the FIFA World Club Tournament saw many sides hold their own against European sides but by the end of the decade there was a difference in quality. No way that version of Riquelme has the same impact in Europe or in the World Cup - he was definitely a shade slower even by his own standards and less dynamic - but in the slower pace of the South American game he got away with it. In short his prime for me is 2000-2001 or 2004-2006.

[@martinfernandez1713]

@@PythagorasinBoots why do we always think that in order to be a great player you have to do well in europe? Do you think zidane would have the same impact in south america? If Zidane was from south america (excluding brasil) and only played here would he be called one of if not the best midfielder?

[@PythagorasinBoots]

@@martinfernandez1713 yes I do. A man of Zidane ability and mentality would thrive in any era of football in any conditions over the course of his career. In the modern era it is important to have proven yourself in Europe as that is undoubtedly where the world’s best players amalgamate to play and where the highest standard of football is. Was that always the case historically? No. Up to the 80s, South America was on par with Europe as can be seen with Zico dismantling peak Liverpool and Santos of the 60s shat on any top European side. That isn’t the case any longer. Is that a permanent situation? Not necessarily as in football things can always change but certainly from mid 2000s there has been a sizeable shift in terms of quality differential between European and South American football. Heck the last World Cup winner from the South American continent was back in 2002! We are nearly 20 years on from that moment. Every finalist bar Argentina in 2014 has been European.

[@gondazbandaz4540]

Juan Roman Riquelme is one the best footballers of all time. He is better than Zidane in terms of football intelligence, technical ability, skill, controlling the speed of a match, dictating play etc... Van Gaal didn't like Riquelme because he didn't press and chase when off the ball, he went to a lower team in Villarreal and he still played champions league football dominated inter Milan, Rangers, Benfica, Arsenal. He was the Air apparent to Maradona at Boca, he won 3 copa libertadores, numerous Argentina Premiera titles, copa Argentina and many more. He had everything.. Two footed, supreme ball control and technique, football intelligence, dead ball specialist, skills etc.. Boca produced guys like Diego Maradona, Roman 10, Tevez, Palermo, and much more. Roman played 15 years in Argentina so don't judge European trophies as he won all there is to win in South America similar to none other than Pele who won 2 copa libertadores with Santos and he is the best of all time by a distance planet. Roman only played in one world cup due to fueds with coaches Maradona and Bielsa, and dominated with highest assist in the world Cup 2006 and one of the best goals in world Cup history against Serbia.

[@firellparker7463]

You need to do a Ronaldinho one.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

I will one day - do not worry!

[@shone7000]

Do u rate Zidane above xavi?? Ur opinion and separate analysis on these 2 players plz🙏🙏

[@PythagorasinBoots]

In an all time player list pound for pound - bearing in mind their influence for respective club country and positions, for me Zidane probably ranks higher in the all time list. If we are basing it on who was the greater in their respective position - it would be Xavi.

[@binggefootball]

What software do you use for analysis video..Do anyone know any free alternative for softwares like Klipmate..?

[@PythagorasinBoots]

I use tactical pad but there is no free alternatives to Klipmate unless you want to use Paint. The other alternatives are more expensive. At the moment I can’t afford any of it so am saving up some money to invest.

[@binggefootball]

@@PythagorasinBoots I jus got to know about Metrica PLAY Analyis software..but dont know how to export.Anyone know abt that ?

[@PythagorasinBoots]

@@binggefootball that costs a bomb. Looks awesome though.

[@sheldevsim]

Roman was a killer. Underrated in my opinion

[@VictorHugo-bi8wi]

Compare Zidane with Riquelme is both fair and unfair. Fair because they share some similarities in the sense of been gifted players in the way they touched the ball while at the same time have the limitation of been "slow" runners or at least not the fastest sprinters and also not been very muscular or "powerful" so to say. If we try to compare eye-to-eye we can say in La Liga Zidane played 155 and scored 37 goals and had 51 assists, whereas Riquelme played for Villarreal 136 games and scored 40 goals and had 10 assists, but I take this last stat with a grain of salt because I seriously doubt Riquelme had so few assists. When it comes to World Cups, Zidane played 3 WC where he scored 5 goals (2 penalties) and had 3 assists in 12 games, while Riquelme only played one WC (2006) where he didn't score in 4 games but had 3 assists. But more important than statistics is the fact that I remember Riquelme was really the orchestra man wherever he played and surely was a great playmaker, just like Zidane and I'd say he was even a bit better dribbling and deceiving rivals in the pitch. I think the numbers clearly point out that both were at the same level, but Zidane had better teammates like Henry, Petit, Blanc, Trezeguet, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, etc, through the whole of his career while Riquelme mostly had Palermo, Ibarra, Samuel and played only a short time with Messi mostly when Lio came from the bench (like in the 2006 WC). Or that Zidane was able to play with 2 gigants like Juventus and Real Madrid, which allowed him to play way more UCL matches, while Riquelme played in Barcelona when the club was in his lowest hour or had to struggle to turn a recently promoted Villarreal in a Champions League powerhouse, which is remarkable in itself. So, I think Riquelme was decisive several occasions: like when Boca beated Real Madrid in the Intercontinental Cup, or when he took revenged on Barcelona with Villarreal or even in Zidane's last game with Real Madrid, where the player of the match ended up been... Juan Roman Riquelme. For me, both players are in the same category as Zico, Ronaldinho, Platini or Baggio, but surely one level beneath Maradona, Pelé, Beckenbauer or Messi. My conclusion: RIQUELME WAS THE ZIDANE OF THE POORS OR MAYBE ZIDANE WAS THE RIQUELME OF THE RICH.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Nice post enjoyed reading it!

[@valentinocelesteorlando7294]

Could you do one on Riquelme v Veron?

[@durgeshsingh7735]

The name is Riquelme , Juan Roman Riquelme.

[@elr492]

A couple of mistakes. The Real Madrid Boca beat was pre Galácticos era. Figo and Roberto Carlos were the only Galácticos in there. In general, the arrival of Zidane (and then Ronaldo) is considered to be the Galacticos era. Second, when he was a youth he was not the biggest promise en Argentina. In his generation that was Aimar. And in Argentinos and Boca, a flop called Cesar La Paglia. Riquelme was just another great prospect.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

That Madrid side had won a couple of UCL's in a very strong era and had just added Figo to the table. There is no shame in being second to Aimar who was a special player in his own right.

[@user-xm6ro1ep5d]

He is a phenomenal player but outside of Argentina, there wasn't much for him to give Sevilla would be his best performance and even then after that look how it ended for him Europe was away ahead of their time and had no used for the so call "Enganche"

[@Jerez109]

Riquelme leyenda ..

[@PythagorasinBoots]

100%

[@christophertan488]

I play football as right fullback but I dream of playing like Him as an attacking midfielder playmaker position, I dream of being like him

[@unknownx3601]

can u do a analysis on wayne rooneys looks

[@arjunsukumaran2540]

One of the true lst classic number 10 still i believe if requelme was in tht 2010 wc messi woul have been much more leethal

[@PythagorasinBoots]

No doubt my friend!

[@aaa6072]

Just as a thought experiment, do you reckon 2006 Riquelme would've fitted Pep's Man City like a glove?

[@lefty7127]

Definitely no.

[@rahulsastha4598]

Please make a video of Mario kempes

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Oooff not a bad suggestion - what an underrated baller 😍

[@nicopiccardo]

Dude, you clearly didn’t watch enough South American football. Riquelme not a winner? Not a player that could win a match by himself? He won a whole Copa Libertadores by himself. In 2007 he scored all the important goals of that Libertadores. Whatchu talking about?

[@PythagorasinBoots]

It’s been discussed elsewhere. But as I have mentioned the standard of that edition of Copa is not high enough to rank him as a winner compared to the greatest 10s of the past. Quality of opponents has to be taken into account too. He is a winner to some degree but if we put other great 10s into that competition they still win the Copa but if we put Riquelme into their environment - not a guaranteed win, for example let us assume Riquelme takes the place of Platini in Euro 1984.

[@zevchenko329]

I like your videos, but unfortunately you did not include in this the U20 championship that Argentina won in 1997. Riquelme and Aimar played as double "10" with Pekerman as manager. They eliminated England in that World Cup.

[@baigos]

riquelme can win a match alone. There was something called "zona riquelme" when he shoots the ball and was a 95% goal from a long distance. And was one of the best freekickers of the world. But it's another type of football, more on the tradition of the classic argentine school. The playmaker don't run, you have the wings for that, or the 3 or 4 running to the offensive. Sometimes they put a second playmaker and play with "doble enganche", like riquelme and aimar, or riquelme and gaitan. But the main strategy of the argentinian football is make diagonals, sometimes carrying the ball to the throw in line, and push the defensive players of the rival team to the ball. And rotate the ball or, like riquelme do as an ace, open the field to the other extreme. Sometimes fake the pass to the side and make a pass directly to the goal, or fake that and carry the ball and shoot. He thinks and take his time to do everything, but he can take decisions more fast that the rivals, with an oustanding periferic vision. We called here play with the standing head o "jugar con la cabeza levantada", but he take that to the extreme level. And was a master of retain the ball, like a tank build, they cannot put in the ground even when 3 or 4 defenders behind him.

[@reylatino10]

Riquelme is my idol. The best Argentine behind the 2 aliens

[@PythagorasinBoots]

You're forgetting Di Stefano, Passarella, Redondo, Batigol, Zanetti and Pedernera.

[@reylatino10]

@@PythagorasinBoots zanetti better than Roman ? Passarella ? What are you smoking ?

[@PythagorasinBoots]

@@reylatino10 Respective to their positions yes. Passarella is one of the top 5 CB's of all time, likewise Zanetti is one of the top 5 RB's of all time... Riquelme wouldn't even make the top 10-20.

[@antoniomoreno3142]

@@PythagorasinBoots zanetti ? Mamita queridad. El negro ibarra was better then zanetti . riquelme the last number 10 .

[@jrrboca5247]

Zidane blunder compilation: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJ6Yi2SBgteFnbs I can't find Riquelme did these before in actual match.

[@reyesarismendezedgarandres4902]

Riquelme is puré magic 👌👌👌👊👊👊😎😎😎

[@PythagorasinBoots]

We don't get enough true magician's in the modern game like a Riquelme.

[@alejozabaleta2110]

RIQUELME ⚽️❣❣❣❣

[@PythagorasinBoots]

Any other topics you would like us to do?

[@alejandrodarioperalta8777]

subtitles in Spanish please. excellent video

[@PythagorasinBoots]

I will try to arrange this - if anyone wants to volunteer please DM me on twitter @pythaginboots

[@alejandrodarioperalta8777]

@@PythagorasinBoots Okay. In a few days I will send you the translation by Twitter

[@PythagorasinBoots]

@@alejandrodarioperalta8777 Thank you my friend much appreciated ❤️

[@DP-lo9jc]

Best free kicks in PES. Pro evolution soccer

[@reallymakesyouthink]

Unfair comparison because of Zidanes ability in the air. I think comparing to the likes of Pirlo, Scholes or Xavi is fairer.

[@tirsinaim150]

For me football died with riquelme ❤️🙏 no player touched me as him.

[@ampofoakwasiacheampong6610]

What affected him most in terms rating, is how he couldn't perform at Barcelona.

[@jrrboca5247]

Assalamu'alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh to Muslim & Good day to Others If Riquelme played till the end, in that match vs Germany 2006 World Cup, won by 1-0, can he be considered as a match winner? & he did have 1 goal assist there.

[@PythagorasinBoots]

For him to be considered a match winner in comparison to the greatest attacking midfielders the game has ever seen he needs to be scoring goals and assisting goals in the finals of world cups/ucls because that is the standard set by Maradona, Platini, Zidane and Iniesta. Being subbed off is simply not a thing that would happen to them and whilst he was unfortunate that it happened to him, it is simply one moment in hi career and if he was better than those names he would have made up for it in another tournament. With Riquelme he’s been unlucky of course in terms of manager compatibility etc but it’s still a career outside of Boca of ifs buts and maybes whereas the other guys simply delivered at the highest level and have no question marks over their names. Thus objectively speaking they are greater. We have to be careful of romanticising and focus on the facts as well.

[@philthatcher6111]

I'd have Riquelme, Ronaldinho and Totti over Zidane. Zizu was very much a luxury artist.

[@rezwann4355]

very irregukar in uploading but great content

[@PythagorasinBoots]

It’s because my second daughter was born so am very busy at the moment. Hopefully next year can become regular but also working multiple jobs atm!

[@leoncordell6165]

How is this even a question. Technically Zidane was better, passing finishing dribbling. But the single thing that separated him and to be fair other world class players was Zidanes elite level mentality, that alone makes this a silly question to even ask. Big games, big tournaments, key moments Zidane produced.