Carlos Tevez waves farewell to the Boca Juniors fans at the end of his final game before he completes a lucrative switch to Shanghai Shenhua in the Chinese Super League. PHOTO/DM.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Dec 19 – Carlos Tevez is set to complete his mega-money move to China despite Boca Juniors fans begging their hero to stay in emotional scenes on Sunday night.
The 32-year-old Argentina striker is poised to sign a staggering contract with Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua worth an estimated Ksh 77.9 million (£615,000) a week.
And the former West Ham, Manchester United and Manchester City player took the opportunity to wave goodbye to his first club as they beat Colon 4-1 at La Bombonera.
Having scored their second goal, Tevez was subbed off in the 90th minute to allow him to receive a rapturous reception from the packed stands.
One supporter even ran on to the pitch and got down on his knees to praise Tevez, before getting a hug for his troubles.
Around the ground, fans pleaded with Tevez to reconsider his megabucks move, holding up signs that read ‘Don’t go, Carlos!’
But their efforts are in vain as after the match a Boca Juniors official confirmed that the move to China is going ahead.
Read: Tevez bids emotional goodbye to Boca Juniors
Tevez, who only returned to Boca last year after a spell at Juventus, becomes the latest high-profile player to seek his fortune in China, where extraordinary wages are being paid.
It comes after Chelsea star Oscar sealed a £60million switch to Shanghai SIPG last week.
-THE TOP-10 BEST-PAID FOOTBALLERS IN THE WORLD-
Tevez will shoot to the top of the world’s best earners list if he makes his move to China as reported.
1) Carlos Tevez (Shanghai Shenhua) £615,000 per week £31.98m per year
2) Oscar (Shanghai SIPG) £400,000 per week £20.8m per year*
3=) Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) £365,000 per week £19m per year**
3=) Lionel Messi (Barcelona) £365,000 per week £19m per year**
5) Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) £346,000 per week £18m per year**
6) Hulk (Shanghai SIPG) £317,000 per week £16.5m per year
7) Paul Pogba (Manchester United) £290,000 per week £15m per year
8) Neymar (Barcelona) £289,000 per week £15m per year**
9=) Graziano Pelle (Shandong Luneng) £260,000 per week £13.5m per year
9=) Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) £260,000 per week £13.5m per year
* Transfer is set to be completed in January
** All estimated figures are pre-tax, except in these cases where figures are post-tax. Sums may vary according to bonus payments.
