MESSI: FERGUSON DIDN'T RESPECT TEVEZ
SIR Alex Ferguson has been made to regret not showing Carlos Tevez enough respect – according to the world’s greatest player.
Lionel Messi has been voted the European and World Player of the Year by his peers, but the man he looks up to most is fellow Argentina striker Tevez.
He will be the focal figure in the Manchester derby tomorrow, having been allowed to leave United to sign for City in the summer.
Tevez has since rattled in 22 league goals in just 30 games – three more than he managed in more than double that number for United. It has properly illustrated the ability Tevez, 26 , possesses. And while Messi has always appreciated the talent his international team-mate has, he does not feel that was always the case at United.
“I try to be my own player but, if you are talking about English-based players, then I have learnt a lot from Carlitos,” said Messi.
“He has proved this season he is one of the best strikers in the world and Manchester United have shown just how much they have missed him. He needed to be somewhere he was valued. He is such a nice guy, he must be with a club who really want him and respect him.”
Ferguson had first option on signing Tevez after his two seasons on loan at Old Trafford but balked at paying the agreed £25.5million fee for his services on a permanent basis.
It enabled then City boss Mark Hughes to step in and rile United’s fans by pinching him from under their noses – a factor which is bound to lead to abuse being thrown in the direction of Tevez tomorrow.
Despite the playful ‘Welcome to Manchester’ poster campaign that marked his move across the city, Tevez has always been careful not to upset the apple cart with his former club. That reluctance to cause a fuss was, perhaps, part of the problem for Tevez at United, Messi feels.
Of the 29 games he played for United in his final season, Tevez started only 18 of them and Messi feels his friendly nature made it too easy for Ferguson to leave him on the bench.
“He always stays so humble and never gets annoyed when he doesn’t play,” said Messi. “He is just one of the best people in the world. You will never meet a nicer guy and, if you see him with his daughter, it will just melt your heart, I promise you.
“He follows her around and will do anything for her. Even when Carlitos is on the bench for Argentina he is shouting encouragement to the team – and you can learn a lot from a guy like that.”
