Former Argentine football star Carlos Tevez’s ultimate football fantasy is becoming a reality as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo prepare to play together for the first time in his upcoming farewell match, with more famous names set to participate.
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Lionel Messi (L) and Cristiano Ronaldo are set to play on the same team in Carlos Tevez’s farewell match. Photos by AFP |
Tevez thrilled football fans back in September when he revealed that both Ronaldo and Messi had agreed to participate in his farewell match in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in December.
The former Juventus forward is actively preparing for the historic exhibition at the iconic La Bombonera Stadium of Boca Juniors, which will witness Messi and Ronaldo standing side-by-side in the same lineup for the first time in their careers.
To bring this dream match to life, Tevez secured the approval of Boca Juniors president and former football star Juan Román Riquelme earlier this month. Riquelme himself will lace up his boots to join a host of legends representing Boca Juniors’ “Golden Generation”, a squad composed of players who featured alongside Tevez during his peak years, according to Ole.
The special exhibition match will have an exciting format. One side will consist of renowned Argentine and Boca stars managed by the legendary coach Carlos Bianchi. Their opponent will be a squad of international superstars personally assembled by Tevez. This team will combine former Argentine internationals with famous teammates from his successful stints at Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus. Notable names such as Patrice Evra, Paul Pogba and Park Ji-sung have been confirmed on the list of special guests.
After more than two decades of rivalry across every level of the sport, seeing Messi and Ronaldo wear the same jersey is the ultimate dream for millions of fans.
Anticipation is already boiling. Broadcasters around the globe are moving to acquire the match rights, with stadium tickets expected to go on sale to the general public in the coming weeks. Although the involved parties have yet to issue a final confirmation, Dec. 20 has emerged as the most likely date for the match.