Juan Roman Riquelme reveals only regret
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Published 05/07/2015 at 21:44 GMT
Juan Roman Riquelme has revealed his only regret in football - rejecting a move to Manchester United in 2006.
Villarreal's Juan Roman Riquelme of Argentina celebrates after scoring against Athletic Bilbao during their Spanish first division soccer match at El Madrigal stadium October, 2, 2005
Image credit: Reuters
Riquelme, who won 51 caps for Argentina and scored 17 goals, was the centrepiece of Manuel Pellegrini’s Villarreal side that made the 2005-06 Champions League last four.
The Yellow Submarine lost to Arsenal at the semi-final stage after Jens Lehmann saved a last-minute Riquelme penalty at El Madrigal.
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Arsenal's German goalkeper Jens Lehmann (L) saves a penalty shot by Villarreals Argentine Roman Riquelme during their Champions League semi-final second leg football match at the Madrigal stadium in Villarreal, 25 April 2006
Image credit: AFP
Riquelme’s performances in that Champions League run attracted the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United, who made contact with the player before the semi-final.
"The only thing I regret in my career was a decision that I took, when at the hotel in England before the semi-final with Arsenal, when Manchester United came to buy me and I said no," he told Mundo Deportivo.
"I stayed at Villarreal, because I was very comfortable with my team-mates."
Having been spurned by Riquelme, United turned to Michael Carrick, who they signed from Tottenham.
The Red Devils went on to win the Premier League in each of the three seasons after they tried to sign Riquelme and claimed the Champions League in 2008.
Riquelme returned to Argentina with Boca Juniors in 2007 with whom he won the Copa Libertadores.
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