Football
Adriana Garcia 7y

Boca Juniors return from Shanghai very difficult, says Carlos Tevez

Carlos Tevez admitted the possibility of playing once again for Boca Juniors "is very difficult" ahead of the veteran forward's return to Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua.

The 33-year-old ended his second spell at Boca in December when he signed a two-year offer with the Chinese Super League outfit. Tevez, who has been recovering from a calf injury in his native Argentina, sat with his youngest son, Lito Jr., in one of the official boxes at La Bombonera on Sunday to watch his former club win their Superliga opener with a 3-0 triumph over Olimpo.

Tevez told TYC Sports after the game: "I'm going tomorrow [Monday] back to China.

"My head is on returning to China, getting better physically in order to play the remaining games and prove to the people there that put their trust in me that I can deliver. That is my aim right now."

Injuries have prevented Tevez from showing his best form in Asia, with the ex-Juventus star scoring just two goals while setting up four more in 11 league starts.

Tevez can only exercise a release clause in December, one year into his deal.

"My contract is very complex and it's very difficult for me to return," Tevez said. "The Chinese are not stupid."

The pressure related to being a Boca player off the pitch was the main reason for Tevez's departure from the Argentinian outfit last December after scoring 25 goals in 56 games.

Tevez, who also played for Boca from 2001 to 2004, has been touched by the affection shown by the Xeineze fans during his brief time in Buenos Aires.

A big banner from a section of Boca fans was displayed during Sunday's game with the message that read: "Carlitos, we will wait for you. Player No. 12."

"I'm very happy that people at Boca love me just as I love them," the former Manchester United star said. "It's obvious that it moves me. It's the first time that I've come here as a fan and not as a player. It's a happy Sunday for me.

"These 10 days [in Buenos Aires] have been really good for me to be able to enjoy myself with my people.

"People [in Buenos Aires] ask me to return. They want to see me on the pitch. I don't know if they understood why I left when I did at the time but the affection they have shown me on the streets makes me doubt more [on decision to leave]."

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