Carlos Tevez better known as "El Apache" is an Argentine striker that famous both for his energy and goal scoring exploits, and also for his fair share of controversies throughout all his career. Controversy is believed to distract footballers, thereby reducing
their productivity but that was not the case with El Apache. He was an exception to such trend, as he proved time and time again that rather than derail him, controversy spurred him.
It is sad to see him depart Europe for his roots of Boca Juniors, because not only will he be missed by football fans and players alike, also social media and social networks will miss him given his ability to generate controversy which in-turn generates numerous headlines for them.
Tevez first courted controversy when he transferred from Boca Juniors in Argentina to bitter continental rivals Corinthians of Brazil, stating that Argentine clubs do not take care of their footballers like their Brazilian counterparts. He however scored 26 goals in 75 league games for Boca Juniors. He won the 2001 Copa Libertadores and refused cosmetic surgery to improve a distinctive burn scar that runs down his neck from his right ear to his chest, caused by boiled water (third degree burns), stating that the scar is part of who he was from the past and who he is of present. After the 2006 World Cup in Germany, he refused to train with Corinthians and forced a move to West Ham United with team mate Javier Mescharano in another controversial third party ownership with Media Sports Investment. He left Corinthians scoring 26 league goals in 38 games in a single season.
At East London (West Ham United) his negative behaviour continued as he left the ground early in November 2006, after being substituted and throwing a mini tantrum during the match against Sheffield United. Tevez will go on to score in the final match of the season ( a 1-0 victory over Champions, Manchester United), securing West Ham's premier league status in the process.
Sir Alex Ferguson signed Tevez in a two year loan deal, after the case was settled by the Premier League over disputes between West Ham and MSI. It was as if Ferguson was unaware of the controversy surrounding his new player and like a time bomb he would explode in Old Trafford in due time. Tevez played two seasons for United scoring 19 league goals in 63 league games including in the penalty shoot out win over Chelsea in the 2008 Champions league final in Moscow. He also won the League twice. Tevez was benched in the 2009 Champions league final loss against Barcelona in Rome. In his typical fashion, Tevez refused to sign a five year contract in Old Trafford, stating that his time at Old Trafford had come to an end due to dissatisfaction at having being offered a permanent contract late and being dropped from the team regularly despite, not playing badly.
Tevez moved to neighbours and rivals Manchester City for £47 million British transfer record in 2009, although this is still been denied by Manchester City till date. It did not take time for him to show his true colour, as by December 2010, despite being made club captain, he submitted a transfer request and cited breakdown in "relationship with certain executives and Individuals at the Club." In a champions league game against Bayern Munich in Bavaria (27, September 2011), Tevez refused to come on as a substitute while City were down 2-0. After the match , City placed him on gardening leave and paid his full wages but prohibited him from training in Manchester City training ground and games. On 14 February 2012, he returned to training and apologized for his behaviour. He won the FA Cup and Premier league with City scoring 58 league goals in 113 games.
He moved to Juventus for £12 million on 26 June 2013. At Juventus, he turned a new leaf and courted no controversy. He boasted 39 goals in 66 Seria A games for Juventus which helped Juventus retain their Seria A title and reach finals of last season champions league and win the Coppa Italia. At Juventus he departed from the Tevez of old. It was like he was a new born in Italy unlike his time in England and South America.
Tevez returned to Boca Juniors after the 2015 Copa America in Chile for €6.5 million. The final of the. 2015 Champions league with Barcelona will turn out to be the last time he played in Europe. As he departs Europe, he leaves with his controversies and goals which made him a darling not just to football fans but to the social media. Like West Ham Fans "There can only be one Tevez."
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