Ronaldo pleaded with me to join Corinthians: Riquelme

Rio De Janeiro: Boca Juniors playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme has revealed former Brazil international striker Ronaldo pleaded with him to join Brazilian club Corinthians.

The comment came less than 24 hours before Boca and Corinthians were due to meet in the Copa Libertadores final first leg in Buenos Aires Wednesday, reports said. "He (Ronaldo) called me every day in 2010, trying to convince me to go there," Riquelme said in an interview. Ronaldo spent two years at Corinthians before falling to injuries and announcing his retirement in February last year. Riquelme, who has been part of three Copa Libertadores-winning teams for Boca, expects the aura of the Bombonera Stadium to provide an invaluable advantage, Wednesday. "It` s going to be a fantastic occasion. I have faith in my team mates, the club, the stadium and our fans," Riquelme said. IANS