Buenos Aires, January 29: Former Argentina international forward Carlos Tevez has revealed that he plans to retire at the end of 2019, bringing an end to a professional career that has spanned almost two decades. The 34-year-old has struggled for form and fitness since rejoining his boyhood club Boca Juniors from Shanghai Shenhua last January and he admitted he now "struggles to keep pace" with his younger teammates, Xinhua news agency reported.

"This is the last year of my (Boca) contract and I think it will also be my last year as a player," the 34-year-old told Argentina's TyC Sports. Tevez made only 20 league appearances for Boca in 2018, often as a substitute, and scored just six top-flight goals. Argentine Footballer Carlos Tevez Struggling with Fitness, Set to Retire in 2019.

The former Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus forward is upbeat about working with Boca's new head coach Gustavo Alfaro, having fallen out of favour under Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who left the club in December to join LA Galaxy. "He (Alfaro) is trying to give me back the joy I need to play football again," Tevez said. "I want to feel important. He wants me to be the old Tevez."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 29, 2019 04:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).