The former Argentine national team striker, whose life’s trajectory led him from a challenging start to earning more than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during a stint in China. Tevez retired from professional football on June 4, 2022.
Tevez commenced his professional career with Boca Juniors, spending four years there before moving to Corinthians for two years. His transfer to West Ham United in 2006 marked his entry into English football. Subsequently, Tevez’s controversial move from Manchester United to Manchester City in 2009 sparked discord among Red Devils supporters.
Despite the controversy, Tevez enjoyed a successful tenure with Manchester City over four seasons before joining Juventus in 2013 for a three-year contract. He later played in China and returned to Argentina before retiring. Notably, Tevez managed Independiente, one of Argentina’s most prominent clubs, post-retirement.
Reports surfaced concerning Tevez’s astronomical earnings during his stint at the Chinese club, Shanghai Shenhua. According to The Mirror, Tevez commanded an annual salary of £34-38 million, which, when converted. His £600,000-a-week salary at the time positioned him as the world’s highest-paid footballer, surpassing the earnings of Ronaldo and Messi during their prime at Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively.
However, Tevez refrained from disclosing his exact salary, asserting that it was out of respect for his teammates.
“I didn’t disclose anything about my salary in China to the local media after my last match,” Tevez stated, citing The Mirror (17/11/2023).
“Salary matters should be kept private out of respect for teammates. While my salary isn’t on par with the legends, I won’t divulge specifics out of respect,” he added.
Tevez’s stint in China was short-lived, playing only 16 matches and scoring four goals over two seasons before returning to Boca Juniors. He acknowledged his transition from a challenging upbringing to earning millions.
Tevez openly discussed his difficult childhood, reflecting on the adverse circumstances he faced growing up.
“It’s impossible to convey the hardships I faced growing up in the streets, which taught me a great deal,” Tevez revealed.
“My childhood was extremely tough, witnessing drugs and violence as everyday occurrences. Facing adversity from a young age makes you mature quickly,” he expressed.
“This upbringing allows one to chart their own course rather than accept predetermined paths. I never condoned drugs or violence and was fortunate to make a different choice,” Tevez concluded.
