Citing irreconcilable differences with Argentina head coach Diego Maradona that would appear to outside parties as simple communication breakdowns, veteran playmaker Juan Ramon Riquelme announced to Canal 13 on Tuesday that he quit the Argentina national team.
Speaking to Canal 13, the Boca Juniors star reasoned, “we did not agree on much. We do not have the same principles” before issuing the ultimatum “As long as he’s coach of the team, we cannot work together.” Riquelme added, "It hurts me in my soul to do this, but hopefully everything will turn out well for the team and they can qualify for the World Cup without me.”
All that said, keep in mind that Riquelme, who helped Argentina win Olympic gold in Beijing back in August and just guided Boca to their 23rd Argentine league title, has quit the team once before following the 2006 FIFA World Cup.