The Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has said that the game will certainly be poorer after the retirement of the Argentina playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme.

Juan Roman Riquelme is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world and he recently announced his retirement from football. He has played alongside the 28-year-old Andres Iniesta during his spell at the camp Nou. Andres Iniesta regards Juan Roman Riquelme as one of the best midfielders in the world. The Argentina midfielder recently announced his retirement after having left his boyhood club Boca Juniors earlier this season.

Andres Iniesta has revealed that Riquelme has been his inspiration in many ways and will continue to be a fan of his despite his retirement. The 28-year-old Barcelona midfielder recently was quoted as the best players in Europe during the Champions League draw. This was the first time that Iniesta has received such a major accolade. He is once again the favourite to lift the world player of the year award when it is announced in December. Iniesta has also said that he is extremely awed by the skill and talent within the super star Lionel Messi, who scored a world record 73 goals in all competitions last season.

"It is always sad when a world-class player such as Riquelme is no longer in the pitch. If he decides to retire, football has lost one of the best. I was lucky to have met him in my early years at Barcelona. After so many games, after so many good times we enjoyed and we've seen, I can say that I am delighted to have been his team-mate. When I played with him and when I've seen him play what I liked most was the class that he had with the ball, the passes he made, the combinations," said Iniesta.