The Argentine striker returned to Juventus in the off-season after a full season spent on loan - first at AC Milan then Chelsea.
On one of the club's biggest salaries, he was expected to be shipped out again (with Roma strongly linked) after Chelsea opted not to exercise their option to purchase him.
But his reunion with coach Maurizio Sarri in Turin has so far been a happy one, replacing Mario Mandzukic, a favourite of previous coach Massimiliano Allegri's, in the starting line-up.
“As soon as I returned to Turin, I had clear ideas. I wanted to stay at Juventus,” he said to Sky Sport Italia.
“Honestly, no-one told me anything when I returned. I came back to work here, to try to show my worth.
The 31-year-old was previously the Bianconeri’s No. 9 but switched to 21 on his return.
“It was my choice. I decided to change and switch to 21, which is the day my daughter was born.
“It’s also a little way to take her with me in every game.
"It was a decision made from the heart and it’s bringing me luck. That’s the truth about why I chose 21.”