Wow, Riquelme on the same level of one of the best midfielders of all time.
He is.
Only slight difference is I prefer Xavi because you dont need to build the entire team around him like with Roman, riding every move and play on his shoulders is more taxing for a team. Meaning him being a "choker" is more likely to be stated because he is such a vital player for a team that his off days are more noticeable then others who are just part of the piece.
Too much of his career is defined on that one season in Barca (while main negative view of him in my part is his attitude/mentality, with Villareal, too bigheaded and stubborn), while simple matter is Van Gaal saw him as as a signing he was forced on by the higher ups, a political play, so he pretty much said fuck that. Deliberately played him as winger despite being space in playmaker role of the 3 man midfield, and ONLY started in copa games basically, rest mainly subs. Van Gaal is special kind of cookie...
If one is gonna mention Barca careers in this comparison, more to point out in dissapointed when it comes to Xavi's career before 2004, generally very underwhelming and inconsistent, to the point he felt unwanted and was close to leaving after every season. His main fault was that he was really nervous of taking initiative, playing without confidence and only playing it safe and anonymous (the Marchisio ghost jokes was way more applicable with him). Its funny to realize he used to be like that considering what a maestro he has been last half a decade or so.