THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Juan Roman Riquelme, who had a falling out with former Argentina coach Diego Maradona, could return to the national team under interim coach Sergio Batista.
Batista told Radio La Red that he would like to see the playmaker team up with Barcelona forward Lionel Messi. The two played together to win the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
"It would be good to have Riquelme and Messi playing together," Batista said. "We had them together in the Olympics and it went well."
Batista also suggested he might recall Inter Milan teammates Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso, who were left off the World Cup team by Maradona.
The 32-year-old Riquelme resigned from the national team 17 months ago in a spat with Maradona, who criticized Riquelme’s play at Boca Juniors and said he would be of no use to the national team.
Riquelme is still recovering from left knee surgery and has yet to play a match for Boca Juniors, which has only one point in its first two matches.
Batista won last week in his debut as national team coach, defeating Ireland 1-0, and will get his second chance in Buenos Aires on Sept. 7 against world champion Spain.
Another victory might secure a permanent job, although many candidates seem to be in the running, including Alejandro Sabella, Carlos Bianchi, Diego Simeone and Claudio Borghi. There is even speculation Maradona might return.