Football fans worldwide could witness an unprecedented moment in December: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo sharing a pitch, potentially even on the same team, for Carlos Tevez’s farewell match. The two titans of modern football, who have collectively claimed 13 Ballon d’Or awards, have both received invitations to the celebratory game.
The highly anticipated event, designed to honour Tevez’s illustrious career, is planned for December at the iconic La Bombonera stadium in Argentina. Tevez, who retired from professional football in June 2022, has taken a hands-on approach to organizing the testimonial, reaching out to Boca Juniors president Juan Roman Riquelme, who has since given his approval for the match.
A unique reunion for Tevez, Messi, and Ronaldo
The prospect of Messi and Ronaldo playing together is a significant draw, given their long-standing rivalry and the fact they have never been teammates in a competitive fixture. Tevez holds a unique connection to both superstars: he played alongside Messi for the Argentina national team and shared the dressing room with Ronaldo for three seasons during their time at Manchester United.
Tevez remains in contact with both players via WhatsApp, and his ambition for the match is clear. Speaking on the streaming platform Olga, when asked if Messi and Ronaldo would be on opposite sides, Tevez confidently stated, “We’ll get them together.” He added, regarding the challenge of persuading Ronaldo, “I’ll go get him myself.” Messi currently plays for Inter Miami, while Ronaldo is with Al Nassr.
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Star-studded lineup expected at La Bombonera
The event promises to be a gathering of football legends. Reports from Marcelo Palacios of TyC Sports suggest around 60 “star players” are expected to attend. Tevez has a clear vision for the match, aiming to pit a team of his friends from football and his neighbourhood against an opposition comprised of players he featured alongside throughout his career. He has already outlined a dream roster of former teammates he wishes to see on the pitch:
- Goalkeepers: Edwin Van der Sar, Gianluigi Buffon
- Defenders: Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, Patrice Evra
- Midfielders: Andrea Pirlo, Paul Scholes, Juan Roman Riquelme
- Forwards: Wayne Rooney
Boca Juniors officials are currently working to finalize a date in December that avoids clashes with the club’s existing schedule. Two tentative dates, the weekend of December 12-13 or December 19-20, have been floated, though the former could conflict with the Clausura final and Trofeo de Campeones if Boca Juniors are involved. Tevez enjoyed a glittering career with Boca Juniors, winning 11 titles and scoring 94 goals in 279 matches across multiple stints.
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