PHOTO: AFP
Manchester City star Sergio Aguero is ready to fill in the mythical number 10 spot which was once worn by Diego Maradona when he claimed 1986 World Cup for Argentina.
With Messi injured, his number 10 is up for grabs for Aguero who is ready to step up for his national side in the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay.
FIFA regulations mandate the use of every number from 1 to 23 for national squads and that is the reason Aguero will have to adorn the number 10 jersey.
"I spoke to the kitman and he told me it is obligatory - someone has to use it because the numbers go from 1 to 23," El Kun told La Nacion, quoted by Goal.com.
Aguero has previously filled in the number 10 spot for Argentina in a friendly against United States following Messi’s approval and encouragement.
"I wore it for the first time against Bosnia, in a friendly in the United States, and Leo said: 'When I am not around, Kun has to use it.' Then he started to send me messages: 'Are you going to wear it? You're not going to chicken out?'
"Now every time he is absent it is up to me to wear it. I am happy to pull on the shirt, but it obviously belongs to him."
Despite Messi’s absence, Aguero is hopeful from his national squad believing that they would be able to attain the three points at home in the Road to WC 2018.
"It is a bit strange because Leo has always been here with us, but these things happen in football, we have great players here and we can do well without him," Aguero explained.
"Obviously it is different without him but we can still make a good start."
"Messi is Messi, he is irreplaceable. But there is a great team here which can make his absence felt less sharply. Now the key is winning, picking up three points. We are playing at home, it is a long time since Argentina has seen us and we have to play well from the start to gain confidence."
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