Boca Juniors’ Bombonera stadium was filled by thousands of fans present for Carlos Tevez’s comeback to the club, as the former Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus striker was officially presented for his second spell at the Xeneize.
Tevez walked out onto the famous turf in a fever-pitch atmosphere at the Boca home, as supporters braved the cold and packed the stands in their thousands to greet the returning star. Those present also caught the first glimpse of the shirt the 31-year-old will wear for the rest of this season, with Carlitos and the number 10 on the back.
Speaking to reporters in a press conference held shortly before he stepped out on the Bombonera, Tevez admitted that he could not wait to play his first game for Boca having sat out Sunday’s win over Sarmiento.
«If it was up to me I would have played yesterday, now I have to show I am ready for Saturday. There is no better day than this one,» the forward said, referring to the coming weekend’s test against Quilmes in the Bombonera.
Tevez also referred to his choice to wear the mythical No. 10 jersey, formerly used in Boca by idols such as Diego Maradona and Juan Román Riquelme, who he called a friend.
«The 10 will always be his. I am Román’s friend and I have come to make my own story,» he explained, playing down comparisons between the two.
«There is only one Román and he is the greatest.»
The Fuerte Apache native, dubbed the ‘People’s Player’ due to his humble upbringing and down-to-earth nature, was signed by Boca as a youth hopeful after starting his career with All Boys. He made his debut with the giants in 2001 aged just 17.
In three glory-laden years with the Xeneize Tevez won one national title, the 2003 Apertura, and in the same year lifted the Libertadores and Intercontinental Cups followed by the South American Cup in 2004. A move to Corinthians in Brazil followed, where he lifted the Serie A title to set an enviable pattern through his career.
The star has won a total of 21 major trophies in Argentina, Brazil, England and Italy, including league titles in each country he has played in. He is also one of the few players who have tasted success in both the Libertadores and Champions League competitions, the latter achieved with Manchester United in the 2007/8 campaign.
Source: Buenos Aires Herald