Despite impressing with his nation, Riquelme has been ignored by Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini since the start of the Primera Liga.

The former Boca Juniors ace claims the Yellow Submarines did not fulfill their promise of playing him.

"The club said very clearly that if I did not leave by August 31 then I would become a regular member of the squad," Riquelme was quoted as saying by Spanish daily Marca.

"The reality is that I am not another member of the squad. I am not a player like everyone else."

Riquelme also claims the Spanish side played a role in his failure to secure a move to Atletico Madrid in the close season.

"I went to Madrid one evening and everything was sorted out between the two clubs and then the following day I was told that it had all collapsed.

"I then finished training; I left Madrid by car to return Villarreal. That shows that I made a huge effort to solve things because all I wanted was to play again."