Carlos Tevez takes aim at Chinese football by claiming country will not reach the 'same heights' as the sport's top nations 'even in 50 years'

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Carlos Tevez has criticised the standard of Chinese footballers, claiming the country will be unable to match the sport's leading nations 'even in 50 years'.

The Argentinian striker, who joined Shanghai Shenhua in January from Boca Juniors, made the comments in an interview broadcast on French television on Thursday after a difficult nine months in the Chinese Super League.

Tevez is the highest paid footballer in the world, earning around £650,000 a week in China after signing for Shenhua.

Shanghai Shenhua striker Carlos Tevez insists Chinese players are 'not very good' technically

Yet the 33-year-old former Juventus and Manchester United striker, who cost $87million (£64m), has played only 13 games and scored three goals for Shenhua.

'In South America and Europe, players learn to play football when they're kids, but not here,' Tevez said.

'So technically they are not very good.

'Their football is very different. The fans treat it very differently as well. And I don't think they are going to get to the same heights, not even in 50 years.'

Tevez has played only 13 games and scored just three goals since signing for Shenhua

Tevez has suffered an injury-hit campaign that has seen him constantly linked with a move back to Argentina.

Shanghai recently saw former Uruguay, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Gus Poyet quit as coach with the club in 12th position in the standings while Tevez was criticised for his poor physical condition by new coach Wu Jingui.

Shenhua went into the season with high expectations after finishing third last year under Spanish coach Gregorio Manzano, but the club have lacked consistency throughout the campaign.