Carlos Tevez

Introduction
Carlos Tevez was born and raised in the notorious Buenos Arian barrio dubbed "Fuerte Apache". And it is from this neighbourhood that the player was given the nickname Apache, a nickname which is very well suited to the player who has the heart of a lion, the strength of bull and the tenacity of a wolverine.

I don't think there's a player who works as hard for the team - possibly even more than Wayne Rooney - than Tevez. His workrate is quite simply breathtaking. But this constant eagerness to sweat blood for his teammates should in no way detract from his extremely high skill levels. Quite possibly if Carlos Tevez was 6 inches taller he would be the most complete footballer on the planet.

Carlos Tevez's career in South America
Carlos Tevez commenced his footballing career at the age 13, for hometown team Boca Juniors, making his debut three years later against Northern side Talleres de Cordoba.

In his first season at the club he managed to get on the pitch 11 times, scoring once. During his stay at the Argentinian giants Carlos Tevez scored twenty-six times and helping hiimself and his teammates to the Copa Sudamerican (similar to Europe's UEFA Cup), intercontinental Cup, Argentine Apertura, Copa Libertadores (similar to Europe's UEFA Champions League).

This success and the continued hype surrounding the player led to Brazilian side Corinthians splashing out a South American record transfer fee of $20m. However the big money signing didn't go down too well amonbgst the Corinthians' faithful. But the player managed to win over the sceptical fans and then coach Marcio Bittencourt, who awarded the player the captain's armband. Carlos Tevez repayed the faith shown in him by helping Corinthians bag the Brazalian Serie A championship for only the fourth time in the club's history. Tevez's fine form wasn't just recognised amongst his club's fans, but on a national level too as he become the first Foreign player in 20 years to be crowned Seria A player of the year.

West Ham United career
Although the player enjoyed great success with the Brazalian outfit he become unsettled, eventually refusing to play for the club in August 2006 as he courted a big money move to Europe, with Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and of course Manchester United being touted as possible destinations.

So it was a great surprise when Londoners, West Ham United announced - not only the signing of Carlos Tevez - but the signing of highly rated combative midfielder Javier Mascherano too. The footballing world, well, England in particular were scratching their heads to how these deals had gone through. But as the weeks passed by the mist began to dissipate and things became a lot clearer. It emerged that the players' rights were owned by a third party known as Media Sports Investment, who it seemed brokered the deal in order to give the pair a foothold in Europe before many of the top league's Transfer Windows closed. West Ham claimed that the pair had signed on a permanent deals, but after a sticky wrangle it came to light the players were in

The disruption off the pitch took it's toll on the pitch as Carlos Tevez and The Hammers struggled. The club lost seven of their first nine games prior to the signings, as the player failed to get a starting place. Tevez made his West Ham debut on 10 September 2006 as a second half substitute against Aston Villa, but amazingly he would have to wait until 6 January 2007 to bag his full debut for the club, doing so in the 3rd round of The F.A. Cup against Brighton and Hove Albion.

Carlos Tevez's first goal in English football came on 4 March 2008 in The Hammers ding dong 4-3 defeat by London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, when he smashed a superb free-kick past hapless keeper Paul Robinson.

After his first goal for the club the little Argentinian went on a one man crusade to rescue West Ham from relegation, and going into the last game of the season the player had scored 6 vital goals in the previous 8 games, which meant he had put West Ham's fate into their own hands; all they had to do was beat Manchester United - who had already been crowned champions - at Old Trafford. As we all know Carlos Tevez got the only goal of the game, and as they say, "the rest is history"

Manchester United Career
Carlos Tevez's exploits in ensuring that West Ham didn't plunge through the trap door of the Premier League drew admiring glances from Sir Alex Ferguson. However, before Manchester United could sign the player his club at the time - West Ham - had to sort out who owned the player with MSI, eventually The Hammers were paid £2m by the firm, thus relinquishing the player's rights. And on 10 August 2007 Manchester United's proposed 2 year loan deal for the player was rattified by Premier League officials, meaning the player was free to move to Old Trafford.

Carlos Tevez made his Manchester United debut - five days after signing - in the 1-1 draw against Portsmouth at Fratton Park, and scored his first Reds goal on 23 September 2007 against title rivals Chelsea in a 2-0 victory. His superb near post diving header gave Manchester United a cushion over Chelsea in the league and left them hot on the heals of leaders Arsenal.

During a superb first season at Manchester United Tevez built up a superb relationship with Wayne Rooney, scoring an excellent 19 goals in 48 games which helped The Red Devils clinch the UEFA Champions League and Premier League double.

Carlos Tevez Honours

Boca Juniors
Copa Sudamericana: 2004
Argentine Apertura: 2003
Copa Libertadores: 2003
Copa Sudamericana: 2004
Intercontinental Cup: 2003

Corinthians
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2005

Manchester United
FA Premier League: 2008
UEFA Champions League: 2008
FIFA Club World Cup

Carlos Tevez Personal Honours

Copa Libertadores Most Valuable Player: 2003
Argentine Footballer of the Year): 2003, 2004
Argentine Sports-person of the Year): 2004
Olympic Golden Boot: 2004
CBF Campeonato Brasileiro Best Player: 2005
Placar Bola de Ouro: 2005
South American Footballer of the Year: 2003, 2004, 2005