From being the star player on a team trending in every right direction, to being relegated as the fifth option on the club that watched him become a star, here is the story of the Carlos Tevez downfall.
The Betrayal
Way back in 2016, Carlos Tevez had returned to Boca after starting in the UEFA Champions League Final against Barcelona. His welcome ceremony was astounding, as nearly 60.000 fans attending La Bombonera to watch him once again wearing Boca’s jersey. He instantly became the best player in the Primera Division Argentina and Boca was now THE candidate to win everything.
After a rough start for a player like Tevez’ standards, he surged back to his old level in a key stretch in Boca’s schedule. Against San Lorenzo, Carlos assisted Benedetto in the opening goal and played an all-around solid game which Boca won 2-1. Next game against Racing, Tevez scored a goal an assisted another, earning MOTM award on a 4-2 win. After that came the internationally famous Superclásico. Boca versus River in the Monumental. The stage was set for El Apache to prove everyone that he was just on another level. And he did. Carlos scored two goals (including a beautiful curling shot in the top corner) and assisted another one.
Boca won 4-2 and Tevez once again was crowned as MOTM. In the final game before the Summer break, Boca destroyed Colon 4-1 and Tevez scored and assisted once again.
The wind was right on Bocas’ and Tevez sails. The team went into the break with 4 straight wins, standing in first place, and with the squad in the best form and spirits. But when everything seemed just too good to be true, came the betrayal. On the 21st of December, news broke about Carlos Tevez transfer to Shanghai Shenhua for 12M Dollars.
After stating “Money does not buy happiness” in front of the 60.000 fans that went to see him when he returned, Carlos turned his back on Boca and left to China, becoming the worlds highest paid soccer player. That was surely Tevez’ worst career decision.
China Flop
After investing potentially $80 million on Tevez’, Shenhua were expecting him to destroy all opposition in the weak Chinese League and perhaps lead the team to a few trophies. Such things did not happen.
Upon arrival, Carlos faced plenty of criticism for his poor conditioning and was left out of the starting XI on some matches because of this issue. But when he did play, he never quite reached the level expected from him. Tevez scored a measly 4 goals in 16 matches and when he played the team accumulated an underwhelming 4-5-8 record. His performance was nowhere near worth 40 million a year and the front office in China was certainly not happy with how their “star” player was doing. So the team started looking for a way out of the worst contract in recent soccer memory. Enter Boca Juniors.
The Return
On the 5th of January of 2018, Tevez agreed a buyout of his contract and returned as Free-Transfer for Boca Juniors. This time, there was not a presentation in front of the fans for him, he was just like any other player. He had lost his “idol” status when he chose dollars over loyalty. Carlos knew that he would have to fight for every minute.
Tevez is now the fifth attacking option on the team, way behind superstar Cristian Pavón, Ramon Abila, Mauro Zarate and Edwin Cardona. Furthermore, given his low level he is currently under risk of losing even more minutes to speedster Colombian Sebastian Villa and once star player Dario Benedetto returns from injury his chances of starting; he’ll even playing at all, drop further down.
When he does play, Carlos does no longer provide the game-breaking ability he used to bring to the table. He looks sluggish and a step behind. In his last game against Talleres he missed one-on-one against the goalkeeper and also missed a penalty shot. It also does not help his cause that he is playing out of position. He is used to playing behind the striker, but with Guillermo Barros Schellottos’ scheme Carlos has to play as number 9, a position his few talents (dribbling, physicality) do not translate very well to.
In conclusion, the last two seasons have presented us the sad tale of a former international star now reduced to a bench role for the team he loves. As a Boca fan it is depressing watching our once most beloved player sit on the bench; but the truth is that now, he belongs there.
Still, there is at least a glimmer of hope that Carlos “El Apache” Tevez can once again give the fans some joy before he finally rides off into the sunset. If Boca can win the coveted Copa Libertadores, Carlos will be remembered as a winner instead of a traitor.
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