Carlos Tevez, aka “Scarface”, aka “Carlito”, was described by the great God of football, Diego Maradona as the "Argentine prophet for the 21st century."
Tévez was raised in the humble neighborhood of Ejército de Los Andes, better known as "Fuerte Apache." It was from there where he got the nickname of "Apache." His parents changed his surname to his mother's during a conflict between his junior club All Boys and Boca Juniors.
Tévez has a distinctive burn mark from his right ear, down his neck to his chest. This occurred at a young age when he was scalded by boiling water in a kitchen accident. As an adult, he decided against a skin graft.
He joined Boca at the age of sixteen and played his first professional match with Boca on October 21, 2001 against Talleres de Córdoba. He played for the team until the end of 2004. With Boca Juniors he won an Argentine Championship (2003), a Copa Libertadores (2003), an Intercontinental Cup (2003), and a Copa Sudamericana (2004). Because of the Intercontinental Cup of 2003, he did not participate in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship with the Argentine team. Following Argentina's and Tévez personal success at the 2004 Olympic Games, he was named Futbolista latinoamericano más destacado ("Most notable Latin American footballer") in 2003 by Latin American Fox Sports. In addition, the Argentine Football Writers chose him as Footballer of the Year and Sportsman of the Year 2004.
In December 2004, he transferred to Sport Club Corinthians Paulista for $20 million with a five year contract worth $10 million, following the Brazilian club's deal with Media Sports Investments. The deal was the biggest transfer ever in South American football. Initially, Tévez was not well received by the Corinthians fans - including Brazilian president Lula. However, Tévez became the captain and star of the team that won the 2005 Brazilian league and the fans' favourite player. When the 2005 Brazilian league ended, he was granted the award of best player of the tournament by the Brazilian football federation, becoming the first non-Brazilian player to win that award since 1976.
On 23 August 2006, Sky Sports revealed that Tévez was refusing to play for Corinthians. The article insinuated that a move to Europe was likely, with Chelsea and Manchester United both mentioned as possible destinations. Yet on Thursday 31 August 2006, the day of the European transfer deadline, Tévez confirmed on his website that both he and Javier Mascherano were signing for West Ham United on permanent deals, for £12 million.The deal shocked the football world and controversy surrounds the move's exact nature and terms, with media reports suggesting that several other Premiership clubs turned down the opportunity of signing Tévez and Mascherano because of the stipulations put in place by the owner of the players' contracts, Media Sports Investments.
Tévez's future at West Ham was the subject of constant speculation ever since he signed for the Hammers, with the media linking him to a host of European clubs. However, West Ham stated repeatedly that they owned his registration and did not wish to sell him.
At the end of June, Tévez rejected a move to Inter Milan, having been given a deadline for his decision by the Serie A champions.His agent, Kia Joorabchian, stated that he was in discussions with West Ham, as the player was settled in the Premiership and had publicly stated his desire to stay in England. Tévez went on to claim that he would not make a decision on his future until the Copa America finished in July, but on 5 July the Daily Mail broke news that Tévez had reportedly agreed to join Manchester United in a deal worth £20 million, subject to an appeal from West Ham. In response to the rumoured deal, the Premier League issued a statement indicating they would block any proposed transfer unless they were certain West Ham would receive the majority of any transfer fee. The Premier League have insisted that "Any deal for Carlos Tevez has to be done directly with West Ham".
On 6 July, reports emerged that Tévez had agreed personal terms with Manchester United. Shortly thereafter, West Ham released a statement, saying "Carlos Tevez is a registered West Ham United player, contracted to the club until June 2010. There is no agreement with West Ham United for Carlos Tevez to leave the club and we expect him to return in time for next season's preparations. No decision on his future can be reached without the agreement of West Ham United." In light of this statement, Kia Joorabchian claimed that permission had been given by West Ham, and that talks with Manchester United had taken place.
In the middle of July 2007, Manchester United and West Ham agreed to invite FIFA to rule on the ownership of Tévez, but on 24 July 2007, FIFA recommended that West Ham and Carlos Tévez refer the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. However, Kia Joorabchian issued West Ham with a High Court writ to "...to compel West Ham to release the registration of Carlos Tevez in accordance with contracts entered into between the parties.". The High Court date was set for 22 August and was due to last three days. However, an agreement was reached between West Ham and MSI, with the approval of the Premier League, whereby MSI would pay £2 million to West Ham, who would then release Tévez from his registration with them.
Following the payment of £2 million to West Ham by MSI, Tévez was formally released from his contract with West Ham. Manchester United put forward a proposed two-year loan deal for Tévez to the Premier League, which was approved on 10 August. He was given the number 32 jersey, the same number as that which he had worn at West Ham. He claims to like the number as it contains the same numbers as Michael Jordan's famous 23, a sportsman who Tevez lists as one of his idols. He made his debut in a 1-1 draw against Portsmouth on 15 August, replacing Wayne Rooney, who had suffered a foot injury, and set up a goal for Paul Scholes. On 23rd September he scored his first goal with a diving header, in a 2-0 victory for Manchester United against Chelsea, at Old Trafford. On 6th October, Tevez hit the back of the net again, in another man of the match performance, scoring the first goal in a 4-0 win over Wigan Athletic. Carlos put in a Man of the Match performance in the following premiership game against Aston Villa where the potential of the Wayne Rooney - Carlos Tevez partnership was lauded by the press, with a brace for Rooney, an assist, and a penalty win for the Argentine. The partnership between the two grew in stature.
The partnership of Tevez and Rooney was very similar to the legendary Cole – Yorke duet in the late 90’s. The great chemistry between the two talented youngsters was evident to the Manchester United fans. Along with Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United has the most feared young guns in the world of football today.
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