Giovani Lo Celso has admitted that he was inconsolable for a number of days when he first learnt that he would miss Argentina’s World Cup campaign due to injury.
Lo Celso has been an indispensable part of Argentina’s set-up under Lionel Scaloni and was expected to play a big part in Qatar but just weeks before the start of the tournament, the midfielder suffered a hamstring injury.
That meant that the 26-year-old missed the Albiceleste’s glorious World Cup campaign as they made history by lifting the trophy for the first time in 36 years.
Lo Celso was in Qatar to cheer his teammates on and celebrated with them after the final but he has now opened up on the heartbreak of finding out he would not play a part in the tournament.
The Tottenham man, who is currently on loan at Villarreal told TyC Sports: “When I found out that the injury prevented me from playing in the World Cup, that I had to have an operation, I spent three or four days in which all I did was cry in the bathroom, but life gives and takes away, it gave me the birth of my daughter.
“Then I wanted to be with the team, with them, and I was able to experience everything, the birth of my daughter and then celebrate with my teammates.
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“If it was up to me, I would go to the World Cup on one leg, but I had to have surgery, many months of recovery.
“When I saw that in the previous friendly, they came out with a banner, I began to cry alone in my house and I realised what it meant to be in the national team.
“Eternally grateful to my teammates for all the gestures and displays of affection they had with me.”
Lo Celso regained full fitness earlier this month and was included in Argentina’s squad for March’s international break.
The midfielder registered two assists in the South American side’s 7-0 win over Curacao in a friendly clash on Tuesday.
Speaking after the game, he said: “It is a very exciting moment for me, to put on this shirt again, which is the most beautiful of all.
“To enjoy again with my teammates on the field after many months. With an injury this long, you have very hard times.
“I tried to enjoy it to the fullest, again with the group, with the team and with our people. It was a reason for celebration for everyone.
“Life, like football, gives revenge. When I had no other option but to have an operation, I had to turn the page.
“In all this time, the only thing I thought about was putting on this shirt again and enjoying what it was today.
“Playing in the Argentine national team is the ultimate dream of every player and today I am grateful to life for giving me this opportunity. Grateful to the coaching staff and the players.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Since last year’s World Cup was Messi’s final one, would have been the pinnacle of every Argentinian player’s career.
So, one can imagine Lo Celso’s devastation at finding out just weeks in advance that he would not play any part in the tournament.
It sounds like the 26-year-old is using the heartbreak as fuel to push himself to bigger and better things.
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