Riquelme retires from international
football
BUENOS AIRES, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Argentina playmaker Juan Roman
Riquelme announced his international retirement on Wednesday at the
age of 28, citing family reasons.
Riquelme, an elegant midfielder whose performances have split
critics down the middle, said he had taken the shock decision
because of his mother, who has been suffering from health
problems.
'Since the World Cup, my mother has been taken to hospital twice
and my responsibility is to take care of her,' said Riquelme.
'It was an easy decision to make. My family comes before the
football,' said Riquelme, who captained the team which lost 3-0 to
Brazil in a friendly this month, their first under new coach Alfio
Basile.
'It will hurt me deeply not to wear the Argentina shirt again but
my mother's health comes first,' said Riquelme, who quit the team
at an age when most players are at their peak.
Riquelme said he feared criticism of his Argentina performances may
have worsened his mother's health.
'There's been a lot of bad blood and I don't want to make her
suffer,' he said.
'My mother is my mother and I can't compare her with the Argentina
shirt or anything else.'
Riquelme, who plays his club football in Spain for Villareal, won
37 caps in an international career which spanned nine years.
Full story:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=379431&cc=4716
such a pity tat he retires at such young age. he is such a
wonderful playmaker. the international stag is sure gonna miss his
presence. 
