Carlos Tevez back in love with Manchester City ... but out of love with Argentina

Carlos Tevez has started the season in fine form but is not in the Argentina squad (Getty Images)

Carlos Tevez has returned to Buenos Aires despite not being called up for international duty. But on his arrival he spoke of how he has fallen back in love with playing for Manchester City.

Tevez's trip home might have rang alarm bells in previous seasons but this time he said: "I am focused on my club and on the Premier League and the Champions League. This is what I wanted – to have this hunger for success back again.

"The disagreement with Roberto [Mancini] has ended up being good for me because it has helped give me back this hunger. Before, I was playing just to attract the attention of the national team manager, now I'm playing for the enjoyment and because I have that desire to win things.

"The national team is not my priority. I am concentrating on my club. I have had my first good pre-season in four or five years and I feel good."

Tevez's City team-mate Sergio Aguero has been included in Alejandro Sabella's squad to face Paraguay and Peru, despite a knee injury picked up against Southampton last month. Aguero said: "Three days ago I started running and now I am going to consult the doctor here. I still have some pain but we will see how it develops."

He confirmed he had the blessing of manager Mancini after putting his mind at rest. "I explained to the manager that I would see the national team medical staff and he was satisfied with that. I am going to be well looked after."

Asked about Tevez not being in the Argentina squad despite his excellent start to the season, Aguero said: "He is playing very well, looking quick and strong. If he keeps playing that way, Sabella will be looking at him."

Looking ahead to City's first game in the Champions League away to Real Madrid, Aguero said: "Every team in the group is a big team but that only serves to motivate us more. I could never beat Real Madrid with Atletico Madrid so, hopefully, I can change that with City." Tevez added: "Real will be a very difficult rival but they are great games to play in and even more so because of the group we are in. Cristiano [Ronaldo] is a former team-mate and he is playing as well as ever."