Sergio Aguero is in talks over a role in Argentina 's coaching staff at the 2022 World Cup, just months after retiring from professional football.
The 33-year-old was forced to hang up his boots in December due to issues with his heart but still hopes to play a part in his nation's bid to win the World Cup in Qatar later this year.
Argentina have won the tournament twice but Aguero was a member of the team who agonisingly lost the 2014 final to Germany in extra-time.
But now the Manchester City legend is desperate to help the Albiceleste to their first triumph since 1986 from the sidelines, as he told native outlet Radio10 : "I'm going to the World Cup in Qatar. We are going to have a meeting this week.
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"I want to be there. The idea is for me to be incorporated into the coaching staff, I spoke with [manager Lionel] Scaloni and [president Claudio] Tapia."
Aguero was hoping to be called up by Scaloni for the tournament which gets under way in November, but his dreams were dashed when he felt difficulty breathing in one of his first matches for Barcelona earlier this season.
Having joined the Blaugrana from City last summer, the striker announced his retirement at an emotional press conference after consulting with doctors.
Even now, the ex- Premier League marksman admits he struggles to sprint.
"If I try to play football now, I run out of breath," Aguero said on a recent Twitch stream. "Sometimes I wonder if I will ever be able to sprint again. I just feel like my heart doesn't work properly."
However, he did see the brighter side of his surgery, telling fans: "I have a chip here [in my chest]. I am Iron Man!"
One player Aguero could be coaching in Qatar for Argentina is City's new signing, Julian Alvarez.
The River Plate hot shot will join Pep Guardiola 's side at the end of the season after a fee of £21m was agreed during the January transfer window.
And Aguero is a big fan of the "restless" Alvarez, who he has a good relationship with.
"I get along very well with him. When we were in the national team, we s*** with laughter," the recently-retired star joked. "He always asked me things and I, as a striker, told him about my experience. I like it, he is a very good player.
"He is very good, really good. I like him, we have to see in what position they are going to use him. I do not know if he is going to play as a nine; for me, he is a player who has to play more freely, he is restless."
