Carlos Tevez has admitted that his full attention wasn’t on the World Cup in Qatar and he has not contacted Argentina captain Lionel Messi to congratulate him.
Messi was in inspiring form for Argentina at the 2022 World Cup and rallied his side back into the tournament after their shock opening defeat to Saudi Arabia.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner took home the Golden Ball award and finished behind Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race.
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Messi scored a brace in Argentina’s thrilling final win over France, with Lionel Scaloni’s men earning their country their long-awaited third World Cup star.
Tevez, who played alongside Messi for Argentina, called it time on his glittering playing career in June 2022 after the death of his father.
The 38-year-old Argentine enjoyed prolific spells with both Manchester United and Manchester City, with Tevez later playing for Juventus and Shanghai Shenhua.
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Following the end of his career, Tevez became head coach for Argentine side Rosario Central before leaving his post only five months later.
The former City star said that he saw France in action a “lot” at the World Cup, but he admitted that he had not contacted Messi “because his phone must have been blown” in the aftermath of the tournament.
“I didn’t follow the World Cup in Qatar very closely but I saw France a lot because it was a team that I liked,” Tevez told Radio Mitre, as per Marca.
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“I have not written to Messi because his phone must have been blown up. It makes me very happy that my children celebrated his goals.”
Tevez returned for a third spell with boyhood club Boca Juniors before his retirement, but the ex-Argentina international said he was left “exhausted” by his time in football.
“I don’t miss the world of Boca Juniors, nor that of football, because it exhausted me,” he added.
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Tevez continued: “As soon as I left Rosario Central, I received a call from Independiente, but I don’t have the need to go out and manage anything.
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“Being a coach was a good experience, I loved it. The strategy part was what I liked the most.
“Now I’m enjoying the moments of life. I am with the family [on] the ranch that I have. I like to enjoy the affection of the people.”
Featured Image Credit: Juventus' YouTube/AlamyTopics: Carlos Tevez, Argentina, Lionel Messi, Football World Cup, Football