At the beginning of the new millennia, two Argentine midfielders in their respective countries despuntaban. One was the idol of Boca Juniors and called himself Juan Roman Riquelme. The other was Pablo Aimar, the flagship of River Plate and one of the bullets “millionaires” with Javier Saviola. In your hands, Argentina could boast of having two men future, dos cracks.

Riquelme represented control, The technique, the leisurely game, The tricky pass, arrival on second line, genius in free-throws, the character. Aimar preferred speed, change of pace, the last pass, the difficult easy and the impossible possible. Both as good 10, with a special gift to keep the ball.

But nevertheless, time has passed and it is time to check what the two have had a successful career: Topo Gigio and the Clown. Riquelme its 35 years returned to Boca after an unsuccessful stint in Barcelona and a more successful way in Villarreal. 51 international caps and Olympic champion with the albiceleste in 2008, JR got to add 3 Boca Libertadores and Intercontinental plus 5 Argentine leagues.

Even, in the yellow submarine proclaimed twice champion Intertoto and semifinalist Champions, where an error prevented his having reached the final. maybe, was the senior what else has resisted him with one mundialista presence paid off with a quarter-final in Germany 2006 and two Copa America untitled taste.

Pablo Aimar is a year younger (34). Currently without a club after a brief stint in the Malaysian football where injuries crushed him, the Payasito soon emigrated River Plate which had five leagues to go to Valencia where he spent five seasons in which won two league titles and Europa League. Zaragoza and Benfica ended his career in Europe that earned him to be summoned 41 sometimes with Argentina, playing two World Cups and win another Olympic gold, In this case Athens 2004. A special player to injuries and lack of goal closed the possibility of having done something bigger.

Riquelme, Aimar, Aimar, Riquelme, both mounts, mounts such. So different and so different at the beginning and end of their careers but with something in common: the last major hitches that has given the South American football.