Sergio Aguero on the text message he sent Lionel Messi and a possible Barcelona move

Messi has yet to sign a new contract at the Camp Nou despite provisionally agreeing terms on a three-year extension.

Aguero, 29, plays with Messi for Argentina and he would love the pair to link up at the Etihad.

He said: “Manchester City would have no money problems in regards to signing Messi but he is a symbol of Barcelona and it would be very difficult for him to leave.

"I would love to [see Messi join] -- who wouldn't love to have Leo in his team?

“But he's a symbol of his club and I think it would be rather difficult.”

Not that it mattered as Messi rescued a troubled campaign to secure a place in Russia next summer with a stunning hat-trick against Ecuador.

"I sent a message to Messi, a normal one, as I did to everybody," Aguero said.

"I congratulated him and thanked him for all he's been doing for the national team."

Aguero's injuries were expected to keep him out of action for between two and four weeks but the 29-year-old realises the accident could have left him in a much worse condition.

Aguero told Argentina's TyC Sports: "When I got to the hospital I asked the doctor if I could play for City on the Saturday. He said, 'I don't believe so'.

"I took a moment to think and realised it's thanks to wearing a seat-belt that I'm able to talk about this at all."

Argentina's national-team doctor was quoted last week saying Aguero was likely to be sidelined for up to six weeks, but the player himself appears to have the initial prognosis in mind.

That means he could have a chance of returning to action in Saturday's Premier League clash against Stoke at the Etihad Stadium.

Aguero, who was pictured back in light training earlier this week, said: "(On Thursday) I'll rejoin the group and see how I feel, whether I'm comfortable or not."