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13 Stories on Juan Roman Riquelme
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SI.com: Gregory Sica: Argentine powers River, Boca look to put misery behind

When it comes to South American soccer, there's arguably no rivalry more bitter than the one between Argentina's two most popular clubs: Boca Juniors and River Plate. Between them, they have won an unprecedented 56 league championships, making them by far the two most successful clubs in the country.

SI.com: Gregory Sica: All eyes on Maradona as Argentina resumes World Cup qualifying

With the South American World Cup qualifiers set to resume on the weekend after more than a five-month break, all eyes will be glued on Diego Maradona and the exploits of the Argentine national team.

SI.com: Gregory Sica: Argentina's unprecedented three-way playoff is historic

There's no shortage of drama around the world as 2008 comes to a close. Liverpool and Chelsea are battling for the top of the English Premier League, Barcelona is running away in Spain and newly promoted Hoffenheim is atop the standings as the Bundesliga goes on break. But if a thrilling finish is what you're after, these are all mere side plots to what's unfolding in Argentina.

SI.com: Gregory Sica: Argentina looks to springboard its Olympic success

True to the script, an outstanding Argentina team brushed aside all opposition in Beijing as it successfully defended its Olympic gold medal. La Albiceleste proved far superior to all the teams it faced in China as Sergio Batista's squad cruised to six successive victories, scoring 11 goals (second only to Brazil) while only conceding two (best at the Games).

SI.com: Gregory Sica: Flamengo tries to ditch label as perennial underachievers

"Underachievers" is a label many clubs get saddled with these days as they spend millions in fruitless attempts to chase trophies. But there aren't many clubs who deserve the tag more than Brazilian giants Flamengo.

SI.com: Gregory Sica: A lame result, and bigger issues for Argentina, Brazil

Rivalries don't get much bigger than Argentina and Brazil. Politically, there's no love lost, but when it comes to soccer, both nations absolutely despise each other.

SI.com: Gregory Sica: Argentina is already a contender for the '10 World Cup

If its 4-1 drubbing of Mexico was any indication of what's to follow, Argentina is a serious contender to win the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. There's no doubt the Argentines will qualify for the tournament, but what's more important at this stage is that Alfio Basile's side is playing like future world champions.

SI.com: Gregory Sica: Boca wins when it needs to, but a Copa repeat is no lock

When things can't get any more difficult, Boca Juniors always seems to deliver. On Tuesday night, the Argentine giants sealed their spot in the final 16 of the Copa Libertadores after a dramatic ending to one of the most balanced groups in the whole competition.

SI.com: Tim Vickery: Compared to Brazil, Argentine fan culture is top-notch

Some 15 years ago, an English club chairman -- I'll withhold his name because I'd hate to be remembered for the dumbest thing I ever said -- declared that the soccer fan was fooling himself if he believed that he was paying the players' wages.

SI.com: Gregory Sica: Colo-Colo looks to expand on its domestic dominance

Most American fans probably know little -- if anything -- about Colo-Colo. But when it comes to Chilean soccer, the club is like Real Madrid, Manchester United and Bayern Munich rolled into one.

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