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Boca Juniors icon Carlos Tevez is set to receive a long-overdue farewell match following his retirement in 2022, with reports suggesting the former striker may extend invitations to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to participate in the exhibition game.
Tevez had notable spells at Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus before largely concluding his career where it began—at his beloved boyhood club Boca. The Argentine made 279 appearances in the blue and gold jersey, netting 94 goals and claiming 11 trophies throughout his time there.
To honor his contribution to the club, Tevez will play one last game at La Bombonera in December. Reports from Argentina indicate the 42-year-old plans to assemble a team of close friends, drawn from both his playing career and his early years growing up.
The opposing side is expected to consist of players he has crossed paths with during his career. Both Messi and Ronaldo are mentioned in the report due to their personal ties to Tevez; the former was his international teammate with Argentina, while the latter shared the field with him at United.
It remains uncertain whether Messi and Ronaldo would feature on the same side or face each other as they have throughout their careers, but either scenario could create a truly historic moment on Argentine soil.
When Was the Last Time Messi, Ronaldo Faced Off?
During their peak years, Messi and Ronaldo were in constant competition on the field for Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively, as well as off it, vying for Ballon d'Or honors and virtually every other accolade the sport had to offer.
Since both departed La Liga, however, their encounters have become increasingly rare. The two legends last met on January 19, 2023, when Ronaldo led a Saudi Pro League All-Star side against Messi's Paris Saint-Germain in a friendly match.
Fans worldwide had hoped to see Portugal and Argentina clash at this summer's World Cup, but the 2016 European champions were knocked out by eventual winners Spain in the round of 16, dashing hopes of a spectacular reunion between the two icons in what would have been their final World Cup together.
Tevez's farewell fixture could offer Messi and Ronaldo what may be their last opportunity to face each other—or perhaps their first chance to play on the same side.
Will Messi, Ronaldo Play in Tevez's Farewell Match?
At this stage, there is no official confirmation on whether either superstar will step onto the pitch in Argentina this December. While Messi and Ronaldo's connections to Tevez are well established, scheduling complications could prove to be an obstacle.
Argentine outlet TyC Sports reports the match could take place on the weekend of December 12 and 13, or the following weekend on the 19th or 20th.
Should Inter Miami advance to the MLS Cup final, scheduled for December 18, Messi would be unavailable for the tribute match. However, if the Herons bow out early in the MLS Cup playoffs, the eight-time Ballon d'Or holder would have a free schedule.
Ronaldo's calendar offers slightly more flexibility. The Real Madrid legend would be unable to travel to Argentina during the first proposed weekend, as Al Nassr are scheduled to face Al Fateh on Sunday, December 13.
That fixture marks the final game for the reigning Saudi Pro League champions ahead of the winter break, meaning Ronaldo would technically be available for an exhibition match the weekend after.