GOAL 

Argentina forward Sergio Aguero has lauded Lionel Messi's goalscoring persistence as they bid to win the Copa America together.

Aguero, 27, and Messi, 28, have played together for a decade internationally - at youth and senior level - winning the 2008 Olympics and the 2005 Under-20 World Cup alongside each other.

Having come so close to World Cup glory last summer - losing to Germany in the final in extra-time - Argentina are now the clear favourites to win the Copa America following the elimination of rivals Brazil.

Ahead of Tuesday's semi-final clash with the conquerors of Dunga's side, Paraguay, Aguero has defended Messi from criticism after the Barcelona attacker netted only once in his side's first four matches in the South American tournament.

"Messi always wants to do better and when he does not score goals he starts saying 'I did not get lucky,'" he told TyC. "But I tell him 'be quiet, the goals will come, you have to be patient'.

"Leo is always under such pressure to score goals. It is the same for me, though there are 10 other players in the team than yourself.

"Obviously everyone can make mistakes, but Messi always gambles and keeps going and going. And that gives us all confidence, because if Leo keeps going then we do too."

Aguero, who has scored two of Argentina's four goals so far in the Copa America, also downplayed suggestions that he will depart Manchester City ahead of the 2015-16 campaign.

"Every year I end up talking about my Manchester City future," he added. "But I'm comfortable and at peace there - I have not thought about going somewhere else."