Tevez ready to wear Juve number 10 shirt

Carlos Tevez insists he has no problems with the pressure that accompanies wearing Alessandro Del Piero’s number 10 shirt at Juventus.

The former Manchester City striker sealed his move the Italian champions on Wednesday and it was revealed at his unveiling on Thursday that Tevez is the first player to wear the iconic number 10 shirt since Del Piero left the club in 2012.

Tevez does not envisage any problems following in the footsteps of the Juventus legend, having done the same when he played for Boca Juniors and inherited the number 10 shirt worn by Diego Maradona.

“Of course it is a responsibility (to wear the number 10),” he said. “Especially in an important club like this, (I am) honoured to collect the inheritance of Del Piero.

“I’ve already worn the Boca jersey that once belonged to Maradona.”

Tevez scored 78 goals in 148 appearances for City, but his time at the Etihad Stadium was not free of controversy. He was suspended by the club in 2011 for allegedly refusing to come as a substitute in a UEFA Champions League match with Bayern Munich.

After reconciliation meetings with former manager Roberto Mancini, Tevez eventually returned to the club and helped them lift the Premier League title in 2012. However, Tevez’s role with the club became less influential and with a new manager, Manuel Pellegrini, in charge at the club, the 29-year-old was deemed surplus to requirements.

“My cycle was finished at Manchester City, (I knew this after) I spoke with the new coach Pellegrini,” he said.

“It has always been a dream to play in Italy, and I have finally managed to achieve it. Juventus wanted me in 2011 and the following year, they were the only club who really wanted to get me. Now I have to learn and adapt to its rules, including referees.”

Giuseppe Marotta, Juve’s general manager for sport, admitted the club had to hold off a late bid from Real Madrid to secure the services of the striker.

“(I am) happy for the fans, Carlos is a guy with great human values and his desire to come to Juventus was decisive,” he said.

“(Juventus manager Antonio) Conte spoke with him after the announcement and said he was happy with our purchase. He had followed him and wanted him for some years.

“There was great confidence around us, but as you can see we have completed the task, albeit with difficulty. On the last day there was an interest from Real Madrid for Carlos, but the players asked to come to us, unlike a few years ago.”