Mancini plays down Tevez quit threat

16 October 2010 14:00
Roberto Mancini is certain Carlos Tevez will not carry through his threat to quit top level football. During the recent international break, Tevez has repeated a previous statement that he is no longer in love with the game and is looking forward with relish to a time when he can return home to Argentina without the pressure of high-profile football. Ahead of Sunday's Premier League trip to Blackpool, Mancini cast doubt on Tevez's desire to abandon the game. "I haven't spoken to him about this," he said. "Carlos is born to play football. I don't know if he will continue to play here for 10 years or whether he goes back to Argentina but he will play football." Tiredness could be part of the problem. Mancini can sense it is taking its toll and will therefore ask the Argentina FA to leave the 26-year-old out of the high-profile friendly with Brazil next month. "Argentina have a friendly but I hope in November he can stay here," said Mancini. "The tiredness is a problem for Carlos. Argentina do not just play in Europe, so it is very difficult."

Source: PA