The rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo stands as one of the greatest in soccer history—two icons whose careers have redefined records and captured the imagination of fans across the globe. Now, an Argentine legend is hoping to unite both players for one unforgettable event.
Carlos Tevez, one of the few players to have shared the pitch with both superstars, is working on plans for a farewell match. Tevez played alongside Ronaldo during their time at Manchester United and teamed up with Messi while representing Argentina.
Although he retired from professional soccer in 2022, the former striker never held a testimonial game to celebrate his storied career. In a recent interview with the Olga YouTube channel, El Apache made his intentions clear: “It’s something I have pending, it would be nice to close a chapter. I think it’s going to happen—it has to happen. I have to close a chapter. There hasn’t been a conversation yet. I’ll do it, I’ll definitely do it. We just have to figure out when. It’s not easy.”
When asked whether he’d try to bring Messi and Ronaldo together for the match, Tevez didn’t hesitate: “We’ll bring them together. I’ll go get them myself. I’ve got them saved on WhatsApp as ‘CR7’ and ‘Enano’ (Shorty),” Tevez said with a laugh. As he reflected on his career, Tevez began naming some of the stars he wants on the field for his farewell:
“Wayne Rooney… Van der Sar on one side and Buffon on the other. In central defense, we’ll definitely have Rio Ferdinand, Vidic… we’re going to bring in Chiellini, Bonucci. Patrice Evra—my brother can’t be left out. Midfielders… Pirlo, Paul Scholes, Román Riquelme will definitely be there, Leo Messi, Cristiano—we’re bringing him too.”
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Having played for clubs such as West Ham, Manchester United, Manchester City, Juventus, and Boca Juniors, Tevez enjoyed a trophy-laden career alongside some of the game’s brightest stars. Now, he’s determined to celebrate that career in style—potentially with a long-awaited reunion between Messi and Ronaldo.
When could the game happen?
While it remains in the planning stages, Tevez is confident his farewell match will take place—and soon. “It has to happen. It would be great to do it at the end of this year. It’s not close to an election date. I need to meet with Román (Riquelme, president of Argentina side Boca Juniors) to talk about the stadium and to make sure politics don’t get in the way again this year,” he stated
“Everything’s swirling around in my head. I need to set the idea. I have to sit down with him. We could definitely make it happen by the end of the year,” he concluded. If it does, fans could witness a truly historic moment: Messi and Ronaldo, not as rivals—but as teammates.
