El Apache’s getting paid, y’all. Carlos Tevez is reportedly leaving Boca Juniors for Shanghai Shenhua in a deal that will make Cristiano Ronaldo’s wages look like baby money. Well, not exactly – but his reported $762,000 weekly salary can make him the highest paid footballer in the world. (Don’t cry for Ronaldo, who reportedly earns $450,000 a week at Real Madrid.)
The transfer would mean Tevez had a quick change of heart after declaring less than a week ago to TyC Sports that although things weren’t going well for him at Boca Juniors, he couldn’t see himself leaving the club. In Sunday’s game against Colón, it sure looked like Tevez bid farewell to the club supporter’s as he exited the game.
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And if you’re wondering, Carlitos can still ball. It may seem like ages ago, but it was only a year and a half ago that he started for Juventus in the Champion’s League final against Barcelona. More recently, he’s been in good form in the Argentine league. In his final game at La Bombonera, he contributed a goal and an assist. But his true parting gift to the Boca Juniors faithful came a week earlier when he scored twice to help overcome a 2-1 deficit in the Superclásico against hated rival River Plate.
Although Tevez may have sought a fairy tale ending to his career by going back to the club where he made his senior debut, the reality turned out to be messy. He did manage to win two trophies with Boca Juniors, but has complained about unfair treatment from the media and the organization of the league in general.
The Chinese Super League has only existed for 12 years, but it really didn’t start to make a huge impact on the transfer market until recent years. Just this year, Brazilians Hulk and Alex Teixeira moved to China for transfer fees of about $57 and $49 million, respectively. According to Complex, Chinese president Xi Jinping has made it a priority to develop China’s national soccer program, and strengthening the league is a big part of that. Wealthy business owners and ballooning TV rights deals have led to young league becoming one of the biggest spenders when it comes to transfers.
The move might be all about the money for Tevez, but there’s nothing wrong with that. Some of his successes include winning league titles in Argentina (twice), Brazil, Italy (twice), and England (once with Manchester City, twice with Manchester United). He’s also won club tournaments in each of those countries, except Brazil. At 32, his prime is behind him, but he’s still class and it’s great that he can command top dollar and get one last gigantic payday.