A man haunted by controversy has Carlos Tévez forever lamented his spot in British football history. For better or for worse. But is there a reason behind his refusal to play, his sulky attitude and his expressed hatred for Manchester?
When Carlos Tévez arrived in England, so did the controversy. Signing for West Ham United in a dubious deal that saw English football's introduction to "third party ownerships" was the first of many scandals that would follow the hard-working Argentinian. His attitude, however, adored fans worldwide. His hard-working, grunty and demeaning way of playing football, mixed with his passion and joy for the game stole many a heart, and his transfer to Manchester United followed soon after. Of course, trouble would follow him to the Northern parts of England with his transfer being anything but smooth as the reigning English champions could finally seal a loan deal with the company that owned the rights to Tévez at the time (Media Sports Investments). Tévez' love for the game continued on as he inspired supporters, as well as players. Everything from stylish dribbles, to long-range daggers to 50 meter runs to win his team the ball back were all part of the package. What Manchester United-fans didn't see coming was the darker side to the man from Buenos Aires.
As a young boy growing up in the capital of Argentina, Carlos Tévez was used to fight for everything he got. Born and raised in the Fuerte Apache neighbourhood, known as one of the most dangerous parts of Buenos Aires, Tévez is no stranger to do battles on an everyday-basis. To put the cherry on the sunday, he even refused to have his trademark scar surgically removed upon him signing for Boca Juniors as a teenager. His reasons? He claimed the scar was a part of him, it's who he is. Damaged and beaten, but a character unknown to give up, unknown to surrender, unknown to the term "die". He would also have to spend months on the sidelines waiting for the scar to heal up, something that was absolutely out of question for the man simply known as "Carlitos" amongst the Boca Juniors-faithful. After winning the Copa Libertadores with Boca, he signed with Brazilian club Corinthians, claiming that he was fleeing the Argentinian media and to seek new adventures. Dominating the Brazilian league, Tévez, along with compatriot Javier Mascherano, were destined for greater things. But along with his glory, came interest lurking all the way from big Europe, the place where players went to become legends, icons, immortals. In an attempt to push his way through to Europe, Tévez refused to play another game for Corinthians. He was officially on strike. A week later, Tévez was no longer a Corinthians-player and moved to London and West Ham United.
Controversy
After his failed attempts at pitching the Manchester United-fans against Sir Alex Ferguson in his quest for a permanent deal at Old Trafford, he left the Stretford End faithful in yet another controversial fashion. Signing for Manchester City just poured salt into the open wound that has yet to be healed between Tévez and the Manchester United-fans. Brilliant showing after brilliant showing earned Tévez a semi-divine status among City-supporters. For the first time since his last few months at West Ham United, he was finally the talking point of everyone. The main man, the star, the talisman, the savior. Carlos Tévez was the king of the blue side of Manchester. The Ché Guevara to their Cuba, if you will. The blue reovlution had it's figure-head and it's lynchpin. Exactly how the little Argentinian would've wanted it. But as the times went by, so did City's lack of results. When Roberto Mancini overtook the ranks at City after Mark Hughes, Tévez power was challenged. A man known for handling great stars such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mancini was not afraid to put Tévez to the sword. The Argentinian responding in, what many would call, cowardly fashion, critizing Mancini for his style of training. Mancini responded by making it clear to Tévez that is he didn't agree with Mancini, he was free to leave. The first real spat between the two was officially underway.
After a disappointing World Cup, Tévez admitted that he was tired of football. Tired of the training, tired of travelling, tired of being away from his family. His reason for playing football was so he could provide for his children. It was no longer for the joy. The passion and joy he displayed at Boca Juniors was gone, according to himself. He then became Manchester City-captain, had a fantastic start to the season and was again the king. But wait, there was more to it. In a homegame to Bolton, he was subbed off, ripping his captain's armband off, and sprinted off the sideline to tell manager Mancini just what he thought about him. For everyone to see; there it was. A few weeks later, Tévez handed in his transfer request, got it rejected, had further talks with the club and claimed his full commitment to the club. All in a matter of days. What was going on in the mind of Tévez? As the summer arrived, he was seemingly still happy, even though being stripped of his armband and having to face stiff competition from fellow Argentinian Sergio Agüero and the aspiring Bosnian frontman Edin Dzeko. His family was now with him in Manchester, putting a stop to his complaining about being alone in Manchester. Still, he claimed to an Argentinian TV station that once his contract was over "he would never return to Manchester, not even on vacation."
The last antics from Tévez was seen last week when he refused to come on as a substitute for Manchester City in a Champions League-match against Bayern München. City ended up losing the game and Mancini claimed that Tévez was "finished" and that "he will never play for City again". Tévez, on the other hand, claimed that he never refused anything, that messages were misunderstood, but that it was all in the hands of his manager. This weekend, he was not even on the bench, and his squad number was given to City's reserve keeper, Costel Pantilimon. If the war of words at the Etihad Stadium hadn't officially been declared, it was certainly declared now.
Home
So what is it that drives Carlos Tévez? Is it his hunger for success? His pursuit of happiness? His well-documented problems with getting himself familiar wth England? What's for certain is that Carlos Tévez is a man whose passion has seemingly been replaced with necesity. He no longer "wants" to play football, he "needs" to play football. An attitude that has flourished during his time in England, Tévez has seemed to forget his roots, his joyful times at Boca Juniors, and become a dark, rugged, business man who does what he need to do in order to survive. Still one of the world's most talented footballers, Tévez has gone missing in terms of being able to find himself. To clarify this; Tévez admitted himself that during last summer he was comfort eating and gained weight because of his depressions and had to omit himself to a rehab clinic. A man known for fighting through diversity and struggles seems to have met his ultimate challenge. Perhaps not overwinning the odds, or overwinning violence in his neighbourhood or overwinning cultural differences, but being able to overwin himself. What has slowed Carlos Tévez down, in my estimation, is himself. Himself doubting himself. Him no longer being able to believe that he can outdo himself. A talented footballer, yes, but a man with a dark side to him. In many ways, you can say that's he's a lost child looking for his parents. Many, many miles from Fuerte Apache and the apartment building where he lived with his family, Tévez struggles with everyday life. Further illustrated by his abillity, or lack thereof, in speaking English. Tévez came to England in 2006 and still does not speak English.
In terms of "curing" Tévez, the ultimate goal is for him to move on. Away from England, the cold weather, the rainy nights and the ice-cold pitches during wintertime. A climate change, a change of perspective to life. Personally, I don't believe Tévez' biggest issue is to handle the life in England. I believe, as mentioned, that Tévez' biggest issue is to handle himself. Let's say he's sold and goes to Spain, will that cure him? It will be a new country, with a new culture and a new way to life. Yes, language wise he would finally be understood, but if his demeaner in life is that he misses home, why would another team in Europe do him good? Carlos Tévez is still the same kid that grew up at the Bombonera idolizing Diego Maradona, kicking the ball through the streets and dreaming of what could be if he worked hard for it. Carlos Tévez made it, without a question of doubt. He's one of the richest football players in terms of spirit, passion and abillity, yet his desire is what's stalling him. His desire is no longer to win the Champions League or the Premier League. Nor is it to win the World Cup or the Copa América. Carlos Tévez' one true passion, his one true hunger, after ten years of professional football, is simply to go home. After glory, grief, confusion, joy and depressions, Carlos Tévez will only find solace if he returned to the place where he made his name known. For Boca Juniors, for Buenos Aires, for Fuerte Apache and for his friends and family. For Carlos Tévez, his world is the traditional music, the laid-back lifestyle and the familiar feeling of the one place he can call "home".
The only place he'll be happy?
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