Tevez's farewell match to bring together Messi and Ronaldo?

Carlos Tevez retired from professional football in June 2022, but the former Argentina star is yet to have his official farewell match. That could finally happen in December at La Bombonera, the home of his beloved Boca Juniors. And the grand occasion could bring Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo together on the same pitch.

The two superstars have dominated world football for almost two decades, and seeing them play together towards the end of their careers would undoubtedly be a remarkable sight for football fans.

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Messi, who recently announced his retirement from international football, and Portugal captain Ronaldo were last seen on the same pitch in January 2023, when they faced each other in an exhibition friendly. Messi represented Paris Saint-Germain, while Ronaldo played for the Riyadh All-Star XI.

PSG won the thrilling encounter 5-4 at the King Fahd International Stadium in Saudi Arabia. Messi scored once, while Ronaldo netted twice for the Riyadh side.

Argentine outlet TyC Sports reported on Saturday that Tevez had spoken to Boca president and former teammate Juan Roman Riquelme about staging his farewell match at La Bombonera and had received the green light. A final date has yet to be confirmed, although the match could take place on a Friday or Saturday during the second or third week of December.

Tevez played for Boca on three separate occasions before hanging up his boots. Across those spells, he made 279 appearances, scored 94 goals and won 11 trophies, making La Bombonera the natural setting for his official farewell.

According to TyC Sports, Tevez, 42, will line up alongside childhood friends and close friends from his football career. The opposition will feature stars with whom he shared dressing rooms at different stages of his career.

Tevez played for major European clubs including West Ham United, Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus, while his Argentina career lasted more than a decade. Between 2004 and 2015, he won 76 caps and scored 13 goals for the Albiceleste. Around 60 former and current stars could attend the occasion.

TyC Sports reported that Messi, 39, and Ronaldo, 41, are both expected to be among those invited. Tevez played alongside Ronaldo at Manchester United and shared the Argentina dressing room with Messi.

Although he has retired as a player, Tevez has remained involved in football through coaching. He managed Rosario Central and Independiente before taking charge of Talleres. He left the club by mutual consent in May this year.