Around a year ago, soccer player Juan Roman Riquelme announced his retirement from Argentina National Team due to disagreements with Diego Maradonna, the team's infamous coach. 31 year old Riquelme played for Argentina since 2003 and played a major role as the team won the Olympic Games in Beijing, 2008. In Response to Riquelme's announcement, Maradonna commented: "Whoever doesn't wish to be a part of the National team, is not worthy of wearing the shirt".

The puzzlement around Riquelme, who has retired once before, greatens due to his actions, so does the mystery around his character. In two months, Argentina's National Team will begin the World Cup games in South Africa without her usual playmaker - and perhaps with no playmaker at all. Should Maradonna's team succeed in the tournaments, the buzz around him will only greaten, but if Argentina would fail – there will be only one name to talk about – the Man who wasn't there – Juan Roman Riquelme.

Riquelme was born 1978 in San Martin, a slum in the suburbs of Buenos Aires to a poor family. Fear and pressure have always been part of soccer playing for a boy who was forced to play by his abusive and gambling father. At 17, Riquelme was signed by the popular Boca Juniors and quickly became the team hero, adored by fans and critics. During his time in Boca, the team won 3 championships and twice the Libertadores cup, which is equivalent to European Champions League.

Riquelme, who was never interested in signing for various teams in Europe like Barcelona or Real Madrid, eventually made this decision only after his brother was kidnapped and he paid the ransom. Barcelona signed Riquelme without it's coach's knowing, whom later called it "a political move". At the time Riquelme played for Barcelona, disagreements arose between him and Coach Van Hal, as he placed Riquelme Right Wing player instead of Center Field. In 2003, Riquelme started playing for Viareal, a small and quiet Spanish team. In Viareal, Riquelme scored 36 goals and was declared most creative player in Spain. He was also a nominee for "Player of the Year" award in Europe. Riquelme brought his team to the Champions League for the first time. They made it to the semi-finals.

There, playing against Arsenal, in the 88^th minute of the game, Riquelme approached the ball, 11 meters away from the goalpost, for a penalty kick which could change his team's history and bring it to Champions League Finals. This white 11 meter spot is destined to be Riquelme's black spot of his career, as he missed the goal and sank into depression. From this point, Riquelme's career becomes known for it's instability. After the World Cup games in 2006, Riquelme returns in depression and refuses to continue playing for Viareal. He sits on the bench for 6 months until he is returned to Boca. Genius people have never been stable, and if you have any doubts about it – you can ask Maradonna.