Former Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque has paid tribute to Juan Roman Riquelme.

The former Argentinian international had spells at Barcelona and Villarreal in LaLiga, with a move to Los Blancos never materialising.

Riquelme played against Del Bosque's Real Madrid for Boca Juniors in the 2000 Intercontinental Cup, which the South Americans won.

"Riquelme was a player that really gelled his team's play together and that led and set the rhythm of that Boca team," Del Bosque told La Secta Deportiva.

"I think he could've played for Real Madrid.

"It's just me thinking [but] I think he could've been a star at our club.

"The players that come to Real Madrid are good players and whoever does well ends up as a success."