Mr Riquelme, 46, is currently the President of the Boca Juniors Club. While still playing, this famous former player worked closely with Messi to win the Olympic gold medal in men’s football in 2008, and played for the Barcelona Club from 2002 to 2005. In his career with the Argentine national team, Riquelme played 57 times, recorded 17 goals and attended the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Riquelme is considered a talented player in Argentine and world football. He sees Messi as part of himself, but especially better thanks to his innate and unique talent. The relationship between Riquelme and Messi is extremely close.
In the official farewell match of his career after many years without playing, Riquelme waited for Messi to fulfill his dream of winning the 2022 World Cup, which was held at the legendary La Bombonera stadium of the Boca Juniors Club almost 2 years ago.
Meanwhile, the current president of the AFA, Claudio Tapia, is preparing to run for a third term, but no one is running to compete. Therefore, this 56-year-old president will officially work for a third term that will begin from October 17 to December 2028. Mr. Claudio Tapia also appointed Riquelme as the new vice president of the AFA during this term.
Riquelme said: “No one is more worthy than Claudio Tapia to be president of the AFA. He has rebuilt Argentine football, placed his trust in coach Lionel Scaloni and resurrected Messi after a period of crisis due to consecutive defeats. This has laid the foundations.” For a brilliant cycle of success for Argentine football with the World Cup (2022), two consecutive Copa América championships (2021 and 2024) and the Finalissima title (2022), Claudio Tapia must continue the current project towards 2026. World Cup and open a new cycle for the 2030 World Cup.
Riquelme’s presence in the AFA apparatus, along with the team, is a coaching staff that includes many famous players such as Pablo Aimar, Roberto Ayala, Walter Samuel, all of whom have a close relationship with Messi. This shows that Argentine football today has the shadow and influence of Messi. In the training area of the Argentine national team at the AFA headquarters campus, it also bears the name of Messi.
Messi is expected to be called up to the Argentina national team again during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in early October, and it will also be an opportunity to congratulate his close friend Riquelme on becoming vice president of the AFA, said journalist Gastón Edul.
In addition, Gaston Edul also revealed that if Messi and Inter Miami win 3 of the remaining 6 matches of the MLS tournament, they will win the Supporters’ Shield championship (for the team with the highest performance in the entire MLS tournament with 29 clubs). in the round). duel calculation). In this way, there will be a place to participate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup as a home team representing the United States as the host of the tournament.
