Carlos Tevez has disclosed that a transfer to Real Madrid was almost completed before the move from Manchester United to Manchester City in 2009. The forward said an agreement with Madrid was in place, only for internal changes at the Spanish club to end the deal.
The Argentinian instead joined Manchester City ahead of the 2009-10 season after two campaigns at Old Trafford. During those years with Manchester United, Tevez collected six major trophies, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League, establishing strong interest from several leading European sides.
Tevez had already impressed in the Premier League by then. For Manchester United, the forward scored 19 league goals and supplied nine assists. Those numbers, combined with
high work rate, ensured Tevez was followed closely by clubs such as Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Once at Manchester City, Tevez made an instant impact in the 2009-10 league campaign. The forward directly contributed to 30 Premier League goals, with 23 strikes and seven assists. The following season brought another major individual landmark as Tevez scored 20 more league goals and secured the Golden Boot award.
That scoring form helped Manchester City move into regular title contention. Tevez played a central part in the 2011-12 Premier League triumph, which delivered Manchester City a first league championship of the modern era. The contribution over those seasons confirmed the value of the transfer after the abandoned Real Madrid agreement.
| Carlos Tevez | Club | Season(s) | Competition | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | 2007-2009 | Premier League | 19 | 9 | |
| Manchester City | 2009-2010 | Premier League | 23 | 7 | |
| Manchester City | 2010-2011 | Premier League | 20 | - |
We would like to wish Carlos Tevez all the best in his retirement #ManCity pic.twitter.com/dMMzfp4LVyManchester City (@ManCity) June 4, 2022
The forward later explained how close Madrid came to signing Tevez. "When I signed with Real Madrid, it was when I moved from Manchester United to Manchester City, Tevez told ESPN. I spoke with Calderon at three in the morning; we had everything finalised. Mijatovic was the sporting director. We were at home having dinner, and we closed the contract after a match with United. We couldn't say anything; we left the contract at the notary's office so we could present it, but Calderon was sacked, and everyone left. "
Ramon Calderon’s departure as Real Madrid president meant the agreement never reached the final stage. Once Calderon and sporting director Predrag Mijatovic exited, Tevez’s contract remained unused. The collapse opened the path for Manchester City to complete their move for Tevez instead.
After four seasons at Manchester City, Tevez continued a varied career in Europe and South America. The forward signed for Juventus, adding another major club to the list, before returning home to Argentina with Boca Juniors. The farewell message from Manchester City in June 2022 underlined the long-term impact made at the English club.
Carlos Tevez’s account of the failed Real Madrid transfer adds new detail to an already eventful career. The forward’s statistics at Manchester United and Manchester City, followed by spells with Juventus and Boca Juniors, show how the near move to Spain could have changed a path already filled with major trophies.
