Man City manager Pep Guardiola has backed his lead striker Sergio Aguero after his nightmare experience for Argentina during the international break.

Aguero had issues with his calf last week during the 2-2 draw against Peru. He managed to recover early for the Paraguay tie on Tuesday. Howver, the Sky Blues forward lost a penalty as Argentina crahsed to a 1-0 loss in the game played in Cordoba. The penalty miss dealt a significant blow to the World Cup hopes of Argentina.

Aguero, who is on excellent form, has scored 11 goals this term for Man City. He netted hat tricks against Steaua Bucharest and Borussia Monchengladbach in the UEFA Champions League, and has contributed immensely to the successes so far at the Etihad under Guardiola.

“Emotionally, he’s fine. He’s very well. But you have to know we are all criticised – an Argentine in Argentina, a Brazilian in Brazil, a Spaniard in Spain, the players across the world and the managers across the world. It can make you stronger, you can put up with it, or else you better find something else to do,” said Guardiola.
The Catalan added that other top stars like Neymar, Lionel Messi, Raheem Sterling, Angel Di Maria and others were criticized heavily as well.

“It’s not exclusive to Sergio, it’s happening to Leo too, with Di Maria, it happens to Dani Alves in Brazil, to Neymar in Brazil, to Raz in England. When you play badly and you lose, they kill you,” he said.

Elsewhere in Argentina, there are rumours that Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is behind the snub of Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi. Local news outlet, Debate Final claims that captain Messi vetos the final squad selection. There was a love triangle a few years back between the Inter captain, Wanda Nara and Maxi Lopez – Messi’s close friend. There are rumours that Messi is on a revenge mission for Lopez who once played for Barcelona.