Carlos Tevez is a player often overlooked when reminiscing about the greatest South Americans to play in the Premier League. But why? When he was at his peak, he devastated defences with trickery, Argentinian toughness, and goals that won his clubs countless trophies. His ex-teammate Wayne Rooney told us that Tevez “was his favourite strike partner”, while Joe Hart described him as “the catalyst who helped change the mentality of Manchester City”.
Maybe Tevez is often forgotten because, along with the riches and skills, Tevez had a list of controversies that followed him around wherever he went. Whether it was his refusal to come off the bench in a key Champions League game, moving between rival clubs, or even the issues around who actually owned him, Carlos Tevez’s seven year stay in the Premier League was a white knuckle, rollercoaster ride. But despite all that - speak to most fans, and they’ll tell you they love him.
This episode of Football Daily is hosted by football writer and Copa 90 presenter, Eugene Noble, and seeks to unravel the controversies of Carlos Tevez’s fascinating career, to show just how unique and brilliant a player he was. To understand his rags to riches story, Eugene takes us back to Argentina to see how the man was made. From growing up in a crime filled tower block to being discovered playing on the streets of Buenos Aires, we chart his move from Argentina to London when he stunned everyone to join West Ham. We’ll hear from his ex-teammate Bobby Zamora about culture clashes in the dressing room, and how they formed a partnership which led to the great escape. We’ll then explore his time at both Manchester clubs, delving into all the controversies, the goals and the trophies along the way, with Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, and many others.
The Carlos Tevez story is a thrilling one, offering unique insight, stories and first hand accounts on his career. And Tevez has still got it as well - in June 2025 he scored 4 goals in Soccer Aid at age 41. But do his controversies add to his myth? Or could he have achieved even higher heights if he was a bit better behaved? And is Tevez the most archetypal Argentinian player since Diego Maradona?