[goldenHuddlestone]

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 mothers 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 mothers health. Theres been a lot of bad blood and I dont want to make her suffer, he said.

My mother is my mother and I cant 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.

[theo kawala]

such a loss

[goldenHuddlestone]

i m starting to t hink he may back out one day

[Jedi Knight]

Riquelme and Gravesen. I really think playing for your country is losing it's appeal. This never happened even up to 10 years ago. Sad a lot of these great players seem to be chasing the money by prolonging their careers by quiiting their national teams and denying us ,the fans, the chance to see the best at international level. So much for playing for the jersey and 'my country means everything to me' crap.

[goldenHuddlestone]

Scholes set the trend

[Jedi Knight]

i tell u what, that would have been some headache for Erikkson had Scholes not retired. How would he have accomodated Gerrard, Lampard, Cole and Scholes then? Was surprised when he retired so early. A superb player. real quality.

[theo kawala]

riquelme will be a loss to argentina as he is there best player and now hes gone so argentina are going to have to find a playmaker star player for the middle who scores quakers but who??

[Joe]

Argentina still have Aimer as back up, another fantastic player.

South American players playing inj Europe must get fed up with the constant travelling for crap friendlies and easy international games.

But at 28, that is a great loss. I was hoping to see him again at the next World Cup.

[theo kawala]

same he should of stayed for longer but for family reasons we cant help that

[goldenHuddlestone]

This is pprober;y good news for Villareal

[waynelyp90]

this will be good for Villareal, but they are not the club that always quarrel over players in internationals issue.

[theo kawala]

yes it would be good for villareal he will get much fitter and will be getting at his best at his club