When was the last time a 26-year-old superstar - at the peak of his career and in the middle of a ridiculously lucrative contract - walked away from the game? Particularly a star that’s shown as much professional ambition as Carlos Tévez, who every two-to-three-years has made career-driven club changes? Perhaps, now in his second year at Eastlands, the Argentine sees his next move as ending his career? Or, perhaps news of a rift with his coach combined with rumors of a move have made him less sanguine about another season in Greater Manchester?
Carlos Tevez Retirement Talk Hints At A Tired Player, Not The End Of A Career
Regardless, it’s difficult to take such sentiments seriously, though I don’t begrudge Tévez for feeling worn-down and frustrated. His recent spat with Roberto Mancini has been well-documented. Combined with the rigors of regularly flying across the world to help Argentina qualifying for the World Cup (and spending the summer in South Africa after successfully doing so)? Time-off probably sounds great. You can understand why a worn-out player might express a desire to walk-away.
Unfortunately, there’s virtually no precedent for a player of Tévez’s stature retiring at this point in his career. Granted, that statement’s highly loaded not only by the “virtually no” qualifier but also by limiting the sample to players of Tévez’s stature.
Still, there is a reason why we should only look at the Tom Skerritt “best .. of the best.” It takes an almost indescribable amount of talent, dedication and single-mindedness to become a Carlos Tévez. Those players don’t get to become world elites without having a very close relationship with football, so close that their entire lives are defined by the game. While it’s natural for somebody in that position to, in moments of uncertainty, entertain retirement, players like Tévez don’t get to that level by giving in to uncertainties.
Tévez is not walking away. A better question: Why would anybody think he might?
Rather than headlines saying Tévez could retire, the story should be about a star so emotionally fragile that retirement’s come to mind.
Not every thought that jumps into our heads deserves consideration. More often than not, why the thought surfaced is most important. In this case, the why is a player that’s worn into the ground, one that’s being pushed by a coach under pressure to get the most out of one of the most expensive squads in soccer history.
I’m thinking Carlos could use some time off.
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