Former Argentina international Riquelme retires from football

Buenos Aires, Jan 26: Former Argentina midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme has called time on his football career at the age of 36.

The attacking footballer played 51 times for Argentina, scoring 17 goals.

He has played club football for a number of teams in Argentina (Boca Juniors and Argentinos Juniors) and Spain (including FC Barcelona and Villarreal).

He was recently linked to clubs in both the Major League Soccer (MLS) and Paraguay before he announced his retirement Sunday.

"I have decided to no longer play football. Now I am just a fan. I will go and suffer in the stadium. I am very pleased with the career I had," he was quoted as saying by the guardian.com.

"I enjoyed football to the maximum. I hope the people have enjoyed it alongside me. I tried to have a good time. I tried to give everything I could to fans of Boca, Argentina, Villarreal and Barcelona, in the youth teams and the full team.

"I am someone who makes decisions calmly, who thinks a lot. It's clear now that I'll be on holiday, I'll have fun, enjoy time with my children. From now on my football life ends and a new life starts. Let's see what it holds," he added.