Riquelme dreams of the Annual Table ahead of Boca-Defensa y Justicia

Some matches are played over ninety minutes, and others start being played days earlier, in a conference room. That's exactly what happened this Thursday, when Juan Roman Riquelme sat down alongside Claudio Tapia, president of the AFA, and Cristian Malaspina, head of Argentinos Juniors, to discuss what's coming up: the deciding stretch of the Annual Table.

Here's the concrete fact: Boca will host Defensa y Justicia at La Bombonera on Saturday, November 7, for matchday 16 of the 2026 Clausura Tournament. And there's more than three points on the line in that match, since first place in the Annual Table is up for grabs.

Riquelme didn't dodge the topic and made clear the excitement building inside the club.

I love my club. We're happy to have the chance to compete on Saturday and see if we're lucky enough to win at home with our fans.Juan Roman Riquelme

Boca's president also took a moment to look outward, something that isn't always seen in these press conferences. Before talking about his own team, he chose to acknowledge the other protagonists of the season, the clubs that fought for every point throughout the championship.

"It's a really nice moment. First, I don't want to forget to congratulate Independiente de Mendoza, who played all season. They were the leader in our league. Velez has been doing very well, Instituto is doing things wonderfully. Lots of luck to the Central folks too," he listed. And he didn't forget the house hosting him that day: "You all know the affection I have for Argentinos, so I always wish them the best."

The fans' excitement and standing by the players

But where Riquelme inevitably circled back was to his own team. The club official insisted that what matters most to him is that the fans get to celebrate at the stadium, and that this celebration also serve as recognition for those who did the groundwork all year long.

"I think the fans are really enjoying this and they have a lot of hope, and that's the most important thing. My biggest wish is for Boca to win and for the players and coaching staff to celebrate, because they're the ones who put in the effort all season," he said.

And there was a separate passage for the squad, almost in the tone of a public defense against the demands any Boca player usually faces. Is too much asked of the team? For Riquelme, probably so, and that's why he wanted to highlight the effort behind every match.

Sometimes we suffer a lot and we ask for much more than they can give, but what they do is incredible. They get injured and five days later they want to play again, it's incredible, they deserve it, and so do the fans who want to celebrate.Juan Roman Riquelme

With that message, between recognizing rivals and backing his own players, the backdrop is set for what's coming: a Saturday at La Bombonera where Boca will be chasing something more than just a win over Defensa y Justicia.