Tevez acknowledges criticism in China: 'I was on vacation for 7 months'

Carlos Tevez's return to Boca Juniors was met with indifference in China, as Shanghai Shenhua signed the Argentinian star to a contract reportedly valued at £634,000 per week, only for the product of Los Xeneizes to tally four goals in 16 Chinese Super League appearances. The chairman suggested he was unfit to play, and the manager accused him of being "overweight." The transfer was beyond disappointing, evidenced by a series of ineffectual displays.

But Tevez was never shaken by the criticism.

In conversation with TyC Sports, Tevez confessed he wanted to go back to Boca upon landing in China and the decision to return was made from the moment he stepped on Chinese soil. He also acknowledged the criticism he received from the people of Shanghai was valid, saying: "It's fine because I was on vacation for seven months. It's what you pay for having not been up to the task. When I entered the pitch my face demonstrated that I didn't know what I was doing there."

"I know there are people angry about how I left, but it's normal," he said.

At Tevez's presentation, Daniel Angelici, Boca's president, confirmed there was no transfer fee.