Riquelme happy to fight

Barca signed Riquelme from Boca Juniors in the summer after a long chase, but as yet the young Argentine is yet to stamp his authority on the club.

Undeterred, Riquelme has vowed to earn a place in Louis van Gaal's side.

"My goal is to take advantage of this experience and to keep improving my game," he said.

"I'll try to carry on learning, I haven't lost my vision of Barca."

Riquelme has recently travelled back to Buenos Aires in order to be present in the birth of his second son, Agustin.

After arriving back in Barcelona, van Gaal presented him with two gifts for the baby - a tiny team-kit and a club membership.

The Dutch coach joked about the situation of having Riquelme as a regular substitute.

"I don't know whether now he will have more chance of playing. Maybe Agustin does," he quipped.