Riquelme on way back to Villarreal

Aug 11, 2007 - 3:58 PM Special to PA SportsTicker

LA PAMPA, Argentina (Ticker) - Argentina midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme has confirmed he will return to Spanish club Villarreal on Monday to end speculation over his future.

Riquelme has been on loan at Boca Juniors since February after falling out with Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini.

The playmaker was the catalyst for Boca's successful Copa Libertadores campaign, and was expected by some to continue his career in his homeland when the loan deal expired.

But with his contract at Villarreal tying him to the club until 2009, the Argentina international is obliged to return to Spain ahead of the coming Primera Liga campaign.

Riquelme said: "There is a lot of talk on the radio and in newspapers. I never said anything. My obligation is to train next week at the club where I have a two-year contract ahead."

The 29-year-old added that he has no problems returning to work under Pellegrini.

"It's going to be the same, he is the coach and I'm a player," Riquelme said. "I'm going to train and he will set up the team each Sunday."

The player has left the door open for a possible return to the club he has supported all his life.

He added: "Maybe I will put on the Boca shirt in June of 2009, when my Villarreal contract expires."