Argentina international Carlos Tevez has accepted that he can no longer command a starting role with Boca Juniors. The 34-year-old was only a substitute during Boca’s recent Cup game against Alvarado and following the match, he admitted that he has accepted a reduced role with the reigning champions.

He told TyC Sports: “I’m not the first option for the coach. I have to give my contribution in the role that I find myself in and I accept it because this is the club that I love. I just have to be ready for when I do play.” Tevez left Boca for the second time to join Shanghai Shenhua in December 2016 but the deal could not work for him with injuries and fitness issues. As a result, he managed just four goals and five assists from 16 appearances beforemaking a third comeback with Boca in January 2018.

Speaking after the Cup triumph, Boca manager Guillermo Barros Schelotto also clarified that he has nothing personal with the former Manchester United man and the decision was to put the best team forward for the game, he said: “It seems logical and clear to me. Our message is that the best will play. Carlos is part of a group that has to row in the same direction, regardless of who plays, and that is how he and the rest understand it.”

Meanwhile, Barros Schelotto stressed that he has no plans of parting ways with Boca after being recently linked with the vacancy with Argentina. The national team are on the search for a new head coach after the recent departure of Jorge Sampaoli and the next few weeks could give a clear indication as to who could take up the hot seat. Argentina endured an average World Cup campaign as they managed to only reach the round of 16 stage.