'Maradona better than Pele'

Argentina striker Carlos Tevez has immediately walked into a potential storm after arriving in Brazil to join Corinthians by telling his hosts that he considers Diego Maradona to be better than Pele.

"I know that Brazilians think Pele is the best but I'm Argentine and I think it's Diego Maradona," the 20-year-old forward, regarded as one of his country's top players, told Globo television.

Tevez's $18 million move from Boca Juniors to Corinthians is a record transfer between two South American clubs.

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The transfer was made possible after Corinthians signed a controversial $35 million partnership deal with London-based group of investors MSI.

Tevez arrived in Brazil on Sunday night, two days after scoring in his last game for Boca Juniors as they beat Bolivar 2-0 to win the Copa Sudamericana.

He underwent a medical on Monday and was officially presented to the club at a dinner on Monday night.

He is due to fly back to Buenos Aires for Christmas and will joining the team for pre-season training in January.