Carlos Teves Ensures the Spirit of Maradona Lives On

Even though they limped over the finishing line in the race to South Africa, Argentina remain formidable opposition, and a team many will want to avoid this summer. Pivotal to their aspirations is Lionel Messi, whose style and unquestionable status as the world’s best player today have drawn many comparisons with ‘el Diego’ in his prime, the current national head coach. Yet despite their plethora of flair, Argentina, like many of the World Cup’s hopefuls, have been devoid of a truly world class striker for a number of years. In South Africa, Carlos Tevez has a prime opportunity to banish the doubts, lingering after a season at Old Trafford very much on the periphery. His form at Manchester City this season suggests he is ready to mature as a genuine first rate striker, and at the same time move away from his workman-like status, fostering his own resemblance with Diego Maradona.

You could be forgiven for thinking Carlos Tevez was British; pundits give him all the accolade of one of ‘our boys’ for his relentless work ethic and attitude. It is an appealing angle for lazy journalists too; the rags-to-riches story about the boy from Buenos Aires who hasn’t lost his fighting spirit has been wheeled out too often. Focusing on this attribute also takes away from others, of which there are many. Tevez’s goals to games ratio this season is 19 in 30 games, marginally worse than trailblazers Rooney and Drogba. He has a tendency to score important goals; he has already notched up against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United this season. He can also tackle, is unselfish in front of goal, and can create opportunities for others.

Ironically though, for all of his talents, it is his work ethic which has been most endearing to the British public. Forced to play fourth fiddle last season with Ronaldo, Rooney and Berbatov all preferred, he only managed five league goals in his final season with Manchester United, yet the fans support never wavered with his work ethic shining through. Similarly at West Ham, a combination of hard work and vital goals saw West Ham avoid relegation, and in turn Tevez was voted the Hammer’s player of the season. With Tevez’s attitude and stocky physique, comparisons with Maradona were inevitable. It is only this season however that his other talents have, rightly, come to be recognised.

For all their fallacies, with Maradona maybe their main culprit, Argentina still have reason to hope they may be celebrating this summer. If Tevez can take his underrated goal-scoring abilities and merge them with his over-emphasised, and Diego like attitude in South Africa this summer, few teams will beat Argentina.