Riquelme could be better than Zizou - Bilardo

The former Boca Juniors boss gave Riquelme his senior debut as an 18-year-old at the Bombonera and believes the South American has similar qualities to those of the European Championship and World Cup winner.

The 1986 World Cup-winning coach knows time will tell if his prediction is right, with Riquelme still to complete his first season at Camp Nou, following last summer's move from Boca Juniors.

"Riquelme is still very young and has a great future in front of him and he can be a star in football in the next few years, he could be even better than Zidane. Time is needed to see if I am right," said Bilardo.

"Riquelme needs to play many games in Europe and he has to be set free by his coach for being able to show what he can do on a football pitch, that's the way in which Diego Maradona played and Gica [Gheorghe] Hagi did.

"The only pressure that Riquelme needs to feel is his opponents, but if he has to play in a position in which he doesn't feel comfortable, he will not be able to demonstrate how great a player he is."