Carlos Tevez was one of the top forwards in world soccer throughout the 2000s and 2010s. The Argentine star had a standout career in both his home country and Europe, sharing the field with legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Now, he’s expressed his desire to bring both of them together for a very special occasion.
In an interview with Olga, Tevez spoke about organizing a farewell match to honor his decorated playing career, which officially ended with his retirement from Boca Juniors in 2022. “It’s something I still have pending,” he said. “I need to close a chapter. I haven’t had the conversation yet. I’ll do it, I’m definitely going to do it. We just have to figure out when. It’s not easy.”
Carlos was then asked which stars he plans to invite to the match. He named several former teammates—before getting to the two biggest: “Leo Messi, Cristiano… we’re going to bring them.” And he made it clear he believes it’s possible: “We’ll get them together. I’ll go get them myself. I have them saved in my WhatsApp as ‘CR7’ and ‘Enano (Spanish for ‘dwarf’).’”
Tevez played with Messi on the Argentina national team from 2005 to 2015. The pair made their major tournament debut together at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, where Argentina were eliminated in the quarterfinals on penalties against the host nation. They also competed at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and took part in three editions of the Copa America—2007, 2011, and 2015—losing two finals, to Brazil and Chile.
Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo run as they attend the Manchester United training session prior to the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final versus Barcelona.
With Cristiano Ronaldo, Tevez played two seasons at Manchester United from 2007 to 2009. Alongside Wayne Rooney, they formed one of the most dangerous attacking trios in Europe, winning six trophies, including two Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
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The stars who could join Tevez’s farewell match
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo aren’t the only global icons Carlos Tevez shared a pitch with during his 20-plus-year career. In the same interview, the former forward named several other big names he hopes to invite to his farewell match.
“(Edwin) Van der Sar on one side and (Gianluigi) Buffon on the other,” he said, referring to the goalkeepers. “At center back, we’ll probably have Rio Ferdinand, (Nemanja) Vidic… we’ll bring in (Giorgio) Chiellini, (Leonardo) Bonucci. Patrice Evra, my brother, he has to be there,” he added.
“Midfielders… (Andrea) Pirlo, Paul Scholes, Roman (Riquelme) will definitely be there,” said Carlos. He then once again mentioned his plan to invite Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, while adding one more elite forward he played with: “Wayne Rooney.”
Tevez looks back on his Manchester United days
Although he spent seven years in England—playing for West Ham United, Manchester United, and Manchester City—Carlos Tevez never fully picked up the English language. Still, he found ways to connect with his teammates and formed strong friendships along the way. “Man, the laughs I had at United,” the Argentine recalled.
“There was a Korean guy, Ji-Sung Park, (Patrice) Evra, French, and me—I didn’t understand a word of English. The Korean kind of understood, and Patrice spoke all three languages,” Tevez explained. “The three of us had so many laughs… and everyone else would look at us like, ‘How do those three even understand each other?’ because they’d see us talking.”
SurveyWould you like to see Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the farewell match for Carlos Tevez?
Would you like to see Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the farewell match for Carlos Tevez?
