He won’t outrun full-backs, but his acceleration and top speed are perfectly adequate for a central creative midfielder.

Clinical in and around the box with his favored foot. Excellent placement, composure in one-on-one situations, and a reliable long-shot threat when given space to strike.

This is his headline skill. Riquelme slows or speeds tempo at will, choosing the right pass (through ball, weighted cross, or layoff). He’s an on-field metronome, position him where he has sightlines and he’ll orchestrate attacks.

Close control, calm in tight spaces, and excellent first touch. He holds possession under pressure, turns defenders with body feints, and threads passes that other CAMs can’t see.