VILLARREAL, Spain (AP) — Villarreal still won’t be using Juan Roman Riquelme despite the playmaker’s impressive display in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Chile.
Riquelme, who hasn’t played in the Spanish league this season, scored both goals Saturday in Argentina’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying win.
"(Villarreal) is very strong at the moment and I don’t think the situation has affected it very much," Villarreal club director Jose Manuel Llaneza said.
"I think what would be the best for everybody now is that Roman finishes things with Villarreal, but if that doesn’t happen, he’ll continue with us to the end of the contract he signed and continue training to the orders of the coach in case he’s needed."
Riquelme hasn’t played for Villarreal since falling out with coach Manuel Pellegrini.
The 29-year-old midfielder nearly joined Atletico Madrid before the end of the transfer period. The third-place club hasn’t received any offers for him since, but Llaneza is "sure they will come in December."
"We took a decision some time ago and our policy is very clear. We hope that in December the player and the club can find a dignified solution to all this," Llaneza said.
Riquelme moved to Boca Juniors on loan in January and led the Argentine club to its sixth Copa Libertadores trophy. And despite helping lead Argentina to the Copa America final in July, it hasn’t been enough for Riquelme to regain his place in Spain.
"I don’t think Roman has anything to prove to anyone. We all know he is a great player, we never doubted that," Llaneza said.