You really didn’t think that after Argentina Football Association President Julio Grondona and Boca Junior’s midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme took their turn in the press about whether or not the 31 year old was making himself available for selection that Diego Maradona wouldn’t have his as well, did you?

Via Goal

“Riquelme is available for selection, we all know this. I selected him, he was an important player for me. From there on, when he didn’t want to come, this will continue,” said Maradona.

He continued: “Right now I have a commitment with those players that I had to call in the place of Riquelme.”

Maradona affirmed that he is willing to sit down to chat with Riquelme over a coffee, and he won’t have a problem doing this because he feels the player is worthy of playing for the national team.

“I don’t have any problems with him, I can look at him in the face and I’m not afraid to tell him where he should play because I’m the coach of the national team. I don’t have any problems about meeting him anywhere.”

Then Maradona referred to the comments made by AFA president Julio Grondona, who claimed to have the key for Riquelme’s return to the national team.

“I don’t know why Julio said he had the key for the return of Riquelme. When Riquelme refused to come to train, with the decision taken there is nothing else you can do.”

Finally, Maradona stated that it is a fact that Riquelme and Lionel Messi don’t see eye-to-eye, and that if Riquelme were to return to the side he would have to convince his teammates.

“I was surprised by Roman because I thought I had a good relationship with him, but he speaks of codes. For him to return first he will have to convince the squad, and after this me, and tell us why he refused to play with us at the beginning.”