Rodrigo Riquelme Reche, known as Roro, is one of the most promising talents to have emerged from Atlético de Madrid's youth system in recent years. From a very young age, Riquelme showed a special talent for football, standing out in the lower categories of the red-and-white club. Born in Madrid on 2 April 2000, Riquelme joined Atlético de Madrid's youth system when he was just 10 years old.
His promotion to the first team
Riquelme quickly became one of the most outstanding players of his generation. His rise was meteoric, and he soon caught the attention of the first team coaching staff. He was called up to train with the seniors on several occasions while still part of the youth team.
His debut with the first team came on 1 September 2019 in LaLiga against Eibar , where he showed his quality. In that match, he was able to show the fans for the first time that he was really good enough to play for Atlético de Madrid . Five years later, he is already established in the first team, and is playing a very important role.
Assignments: keys to growth
Despite his talent, competition in the Atlético de Madrid first team is huge, and he sought minutes outside the club to continue his development. He went on loan to AFC Bournemouth in the 2020/21 season, and then to Mirandés in 2021/22, where he played an important role and participated in professional football. His next step was a loan to Girona during the 2022/23 season, where he performed well, allowing him to return to Atlético de Madrid in the summer of 2023.
However, the 2023/24 season was not what Riquelme expected, as he was unable to participate as he would have liked. Despite returning to the team after a good campaign in Girona , the young attacker failed to establish himself as a starter in Simeone's team. In a squad full of stars and with a demanding playing system, Roro had few opportunities to prove his worth, being mostly a substitute from the bench.
Riquelme begins to shine
In the current 2024/25 season , the story seems to be changing for the young Madrid native who came through the youth academy. In the four games that Atlético de Madrid has played this season, he has started two of them, and in both games he has left a very positive impression. His ability to break down the wings and his arrival into the box have been key for the red-and-white team.
Riquelme is taking advantage of the opportunities that Simeone is giving him, proving that he can be a key part of Atlético de Madrid's system. As the season progresses, the young academy graduate will look to establish himself in the starting eleven. He will try to continue his progression in football, thus fulfilling the high expectations that have been placed on him since his first days in the lower categories.