Argentina

Carlos Tevez Premier Cup: Boca Juniors 1999, MVP & Top Scorer

“I still have my Premier Cup Trophy at home. I was so proud to be voted MVP of our national tournament but when you are fourteen years old you just want to play football and have fun. If you win something with your team that’s a bonus. It is not until later, when you look back, that you realise what a big impact a tournament like this can make on your life and your career.”

Born 1984 in Cuidadela, Buenos Aires, “Carlitos” developed his skills, ball control and renowned tenacity on the mean streets of Fuerta Apache. After progressing through the youth programmes at All Boys and Boca Juniors, he made his professional debut at just 17 years-of-age.

Described by Diego Maradona as the “Argentine prophet for the 21st century”, Tevez’ early honours include South American Footballer of the Year, Sportsman of the Year and gold medallist at the 2004 Olympics. His record-breaking move to Brazilian club Corinthians presented new challenges and, despite a dubious initial reception from fans, his characteristic style of play earned him superstar status, the Captain’s armband – and a league title for his new Club.

Determined that his future lay in Europe, Tevez spent a season at West Ham before switching to Manchester United in a blaze of publicity during the summer of 2007. With 19 goals scored in his first season, he rapidly became an Old Trafford favourite.

Lionel Messi Premier Cup: FC Barcelona 2002

Messi made his first team debut when he was still only 16 years-of-age and, in 2005, became Barça’s youngest player to score in La Liga at just 17 years-of-age. Player of the competition at the U-20 FIFA World Cup in 2005 and Runner-up to FIFA Player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo in 2007 & 2008, he is an influential player for both Barcelona and the Argentina national team.

Javier Mascherano Premier Cup: Renato Cesarini 1999

Mascherano moved from Argentinian giants River Plate to Brazilian club Corinthians where he played alongside Carlos Tevez. Together they moved to West Ham United and Mascherano went on to sign a four-year deal with Liverpool FC. Mascherano soon became a mainstay of the Argentine national team, playing every minute of Argentina’s 2006 World Cup campaign. He won Olympic Gold alongside Tevez in 2004 & Messi in 2008, captained his country at U-20 and recently accepted the Captain’s armband for the Men’s team from new Coach Diego Maradona.

Pablo Zabaleta Premier Cup: San Lorenzo

Zabaleta left San Lorenzo in 2005 to experience European football and, after a successful spell in La Liga with Espanyol where he reached the UEFA Cup Final, he opted to play in the English Premiership with Manchester City. Zabaleta represented Argentina at U-20 and at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Other Premier Cup Graduates from Argentina to have represented their country include:

• Jonathan Bottinelli – Premier Cup: San Lorenzo
  Bottinelli was lured away from San Lorenzo to play in Italy’s Serie A for Sampdoria, but has since returned to his previous club on loan.

• Germán Gustavo Herrera – Premier Cup: Rosario Central
  After a spell at San Lorenzo, & Spain’s Real Sociedad, Herrera moved to Corinthians on loan before being snapped up by Grêmio.

• Walter Damián Montillo – Premier Cup: San Lorenzo
  Montillo progressed to first team football with San Lorenzo before moving on to Universidad de Chile.

• Walter Garcia – Premier Cup: Argentinos Juniors
  Now with San Lorenzo.

• Joel Enrique Barbosa – Premier Cup: Boca Juniors
  Now with Almagro.

• Gonzalo Rodriguez – Premier Cup: San Lorenzo
  Now with Villarreal.