Tevez farewell could bring Messi and Ronaldo together in Buenos Aires

Carlos Tevez’s farewell event has grown into a major football occasion, with Lionel Messi confirmed to attend and the possibility of Cristiano Ronaldo joining a line-up featuring some of the biggest names in the sport.

The event, titled “From ball boy to legend”, will take place on Sunday, 20 December at La Bombonera. It is planned as more than a testimonial match, with a large concert also scheduled and performances from artists chosen by Tevez, including La Mona Jimenez and Pablo Lescano.

Tevez told Rio Ferdinand that his close friend Juan Roman Riquelme would be present, along with Messi. The pair played together for Argentina from Messi’s international debut in 2005 through the Tata Martino era.

Boca legends among confirmed guests

Tevez has also secured the return of several members of the Boca Juniors side that won the 2003 Intercontinental Cup. That team will be managed by historic Boca coach Carlos Bianchi.

Martin Palermo, Sebastian Battaglia, Nicolas Burdisso and Diego Cagna are among those confirmed. Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Marcelo Delgado, Roberto Abbondanzieri, Daniele De Rossi, Fernando Gago and Leandro Paredes are also expected to take part.

Former Argentina internationals Sergio Aguero, Pablo Zabaleta, Esteban Cambiasso and Gabriel Batistuta have confirmed their attendance. Gonzalo Higuain, Javier Mascherano, Angel Di Maria, Maxi Rodriguez and Ezequiel Lavezzi are among the other prominent names being awaited.

The international line-up includes two legendary goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon, Tevez’s former team-mate at Juventus, and former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar. Arturo Vidal and Patrice Evra, described by Tevez as one of his closest friends in football, are also expected to feature.

Roberto Mancini will manage the “Tevez’s Friends” or “Rest of the World” team against the Boca Juniors legends.

Ronaldo possibility adds to anticipation

The main uncertainty now concerns Ronaldo. Tevez has made his intentions clear, saying: “I will call Cristiano myself.”

Ronaldo is due to complete his season with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr on 14 December and is not expected to return to competitive action until the AFC Champions League in February 2026, leaving the possibility of an appearance at La Bombonera.

Messi, meanwhile, hopes to have completed the Major League Soccer final with Inter Miami, which is scheduled for 18 December, before travelling to Argentina.

If both players take part, it would be the first time Messi and Ronaldo have played in the same team. They have faced one another with their national sides only twice, and also met in the 2023 Riyadh Season when Paris Saint-Germain beat a team made up of Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal players, led by Ronaldo, 5-4.

Tickets are expected to go on sale soon. Further appearances being considered include Andrea Pirlo, Giorgio Chiellini, Paul Pogba, Park Ji-sung, Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Ferdinand. Other sports stars mentioned include Juan Martin del Potro and Formula 1 driver Franco Colapinto.