Riquelme tells Messi to stay in the US, 'Let him enjoy football the way he wants'

Once upon a time, Lionel Messi's story in the Argentina jersey was only one of regret and disappointment. The pain of not being able to win a title despite reaching one final after another was his constant companion. However, the Argentine legend has finally put an end to that regret by winning all possible titles, including the World Cup.

Messi recently said goodbye to the Argentina national team jersey. Now, former Argentine star Juan Roman Riquelme believes that he should be given the opportunity to enjoy football in his own way without putting any more expectations on him. He even advised Messi to stay in the United States instead of returning to Argentina at the end of his career.

In an interview with Argentine media outlet TYC Sports, Riquelme praised Messi highly. According to him, after what Messi has achieved, Argentines should only show him love and gratitude.

Riquelme said, "We should thank Messi even more. After what he has done, what more can we ask of Messi?" Messi has fulfilled his dream, he has fulfilled our dream too. I don't know if Messi is the best of all time, but he is one of the best. No footballer has been able to stay at the best level for so many years. It is incredible.'

Riquelme also recalled Messi's long struggle for the national team. He also highlighted how Messi overcame all the adversities in the end, even though he failed at the beginning.

'The love that Argentines are giving Messi is all he deserves. Because Messi tried with all his might. He suffered a lot. He couldn't win at the beginning, he struggled a lot. In the end, Messi achieved everything. God has done justice to Messi. Now we should just love Messi and thank him for what he has done for Argentina and world football.'

Riquelme's relationship with Messi is also long-standing. They played together in the national team. He also won a gold medal for Argentina at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Messi was even present at Riquelme's farewell match in 2023. Riquelme also wore Argentina's famous number 10 jersey before Messi.

The former midfielder also spoke about his current relationship with Messi. In his words, 'I always talk to Messi. Our relationship is great. Messi loves me very much, I love him very much. I wanted to play with him a lot more. But the little I was able to play, that is my luck.'

Riqueleme also expressed doubts about whether Argentina will get another player like Messi in the future. However, he sees getting Messi after Maradona as a great luck for Argentina.

Riquelme said, 'I don't know if we will ever be lucky enough to get a player like Messi again. After Maradona died, we thought no one would come. Then someone came who is as good as him, or even better. We Argentines are very lucky.'

Although the national team chapter is over, Messi is still active in club football. He plays for Inter Miami in the United States. It was previously reported that he wanted to return to his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys at the end of his career.

However, Riquelme believes that Messi would be better off staying in the United States than returning to Argentina's domestic football. His advice is, "Now Messi should be allowed to enjoy football in the United States as long as he wants. We Argentines will always give Messi love and affection. We should leave Messi alone. We should let Messi play as long as he wants to play. It is better for him to stay in the United States. And we will continue to support Messi, all football lovers in Argentina."