Apache drama: where do Tevez, Boca and Riquelme stand today | OneFootball

El Apache will return to La Bombonera as the coach of Talleres and will reunite with Román, with whom he had several differences years ago off the field.

The victory of Gimnasia over Platense at the end of the regular phase of the Clausura reshuffled the matchups and sealed a duel that promises extra spice: Boca, leader of its group, will host Talleres in the round of 16. It will be Carlos Tevez's return to La Bombonera as a coach, this time leading the Córdoba team.

Tevez played his last match in the blue and gold jersey in May 2021, and since then his career took an unexpected turn towards coaching. As the coach of Rosario Central, he returned for the first time to Brandsen 805 in 2022, where he received an unforgettable ovation that transcended the match and reaffirmed his place in xeneize history.

That reunion was full of emotion. La Bombonera welcomed him with songs, applause, and a giant message in the center circle that defined him as “one of their own”. The plaque presented by Mauricio Serna and the number 10 jersey crowned a tribute that confirmed the affection the fans have for the Apache.

Alongside next Sunday's match, a question that has been on fans' minds for years resurfaces: what is the relationship between Juan Román Riquelme and Carlos Tevez today? Idols of different eras, they were never close, but they always maintained a mutual respect that combined distance, differences, and reconciliations.

Their relationship dates back to the times when Tevez was a ball boy and Riquelme was already shining as the club's number 10. They didn't share a team at Boca, but they did wear the national team's jersey together. The photo of them at La Bombonera, one as a child and the other as a star, is a picture that speaks for itself. Despite the admiration, there were strong sparks.

The most memorable occurred in 2017, when Tevez publicly criticized Riquelme during his time in China, which strained their relationship to unimaginable levels. In mid-2017, while playing for Shanghai Shenhua, Carlitos went on the offensive against Román.

On that occasion, he said: “When he played, he didn't have journalist friends, now he drinks mate with them. He always tries to undermine Boca's players and the coaching staff. And Boca's players now stand up to him a bit and that's good. But it's not good for the club or for the young players. Riquelme was an idol on the field, but off it, he leaves much to be desired“.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.