Tevez named Latin American Footballer of the Year 3rd successive time

**Poor Student** · 30/12/2005, 3:58 PM

Tevez named Latin America Footballer of the Year

RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Argentina forward Carlos Tevez has been voted Latin America's Footballer of the Year for the third year running in a poll by Uruguayan newspaper El Pais.

The 21-year-old, who won the vote in 2003 and 2004 thanks to his performances with Boca Juniors, this year topped the poll after leading Corinthians to the Brazilian championship title in his first season with the club.

Tevez, who scored 20 goals in the competition and captained the team, was signed by Corinthians at the end of last year in a $18 million move, a record between two South American clubs.

Tevez was followed by three players from South American Libertadores Cup winners and World Club champions Sao Paulo -- defender Diego Lugano, a Uruguayan international, fullback Cicinho and goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni.

He is the first player to win the award three times.

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Not bad. How is the whole big money behind Corinthians thing working? Wasn't there some investigation there?

**Redtop** · 01/01/2006, 2:19 AM

and hes only 21 still it wont be long until real or chelsea come in for him

**Kerry Blue** · 01/01/2006, 5:14 PM

Originally Posted by Poor Student

Not bad. How is the whole big money behind Corinthians thing working? Wasn't there some investigation there?

They were taken over by a company called MSI, who are registered in London. It's the same story as Chelsea. Big money investment and national League title delivered. No one seems too sure who's behind MSI but a Georgian called Badri has been linked with them eventhough he denies being involved. According to some press reports he's wanted in Moscow for fraud and embezzlement. There was supposed to be an investigation into Corinthians in relation to allegations of money laundering but I haven't heard what has happened with that investigation.

**twoenz** · 02/01/2006, 12:44 PM

The man who took over Corinthians has many similarities to Roman Abramovich. His name is Kia Joorabchian, an exile of his own country (Iran or Jordan, I can't remember which one at the minute). The plan was to build Corinthians into an international brand on a par with Manchester United and latterly Chelsea. Tevez was the first "Galactico" to be signed with the promise of more, Carlos Alberto returned to Brazil from Porto too. Daniel Passarella was appointed head coach and promptly sacked. They didn't do too well in the state championship, but did win the national one.

MSI does seem to be a dodgy corporation however, and Roman Abramovich's yacht was spotted (it's a bit hard to miss) in the Rio port when the Tevez deal was being thrashed out.

**SaucyJack** · 02/01/2006, 3:28 PM

an article about what's been happening with Corinthians from Samba Sport

http://www.sambafoot.com/en/articles...ns_page_1.html

**jorge** · 02/01/2006, 3:56 PM

They also bought Nilmar (Lyon) and Javier Marcherano he cost around $15m(River Plate) he was linked to Arsenal (as a replacement for Viera) and West Ham.

**Kingdom** · 03/01/2006, 9:08 AM

There is a whole lot more to the Corinthians story than meets the eye. Four four two or world soccer had a massive article about the situation halfway through last year. It more or less supported rumours that the links between the new owners of Corinthians and the current owners of Chelsea being more than friends. That Iranian boyo was/is indeed the main man, but perhaps is more of a puppet than actually being the one pulling the strings himself. Something to do with some directors of both companies being linked, blah!
It was predicting that the wunderkind Tevez would be a Chelsea player by the end of the world cup. He is special in all fairness.