Handful does not imply one, and you know it doesnt. The top players need to perform in Europe if they want to be compared to the greats, that's just the way it is in football today. One season and one CL with Villareal does not cut it.
Actually two seasons, a CL and an Intertoto. But since we are talking careers let's also include a South American POY, three Libertadores and a very impressive win against Real Madrid in the club championship. The whole Europe thing doesn't carry much weight with me when I see a CL team getting beaten up 8-0. I'll give you that the top leagues are the exception but as a whole European futbol is no different than in South America and for that reason and the fact that European teams cannot dominate head to head match-ups tell me something.
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As far as I'm concerned, Riquelme performed and proved himself time and time again at the highest level against proven top teams like Real, Barça and Inter. You can't deny that.
No grudge at all. As for his impact at Barcelona, the catalyst to their rise to success was the loan of Edgar Davids.