Agüero signed for Premier League club Manchester City in 2011 in a transfer for a reported fee of £35 million. During his 10 years at the club,[10][11] he won five league titles, notably scoring a last minute winner in thefinal league game of his debut season to win the club its first league title in 44 years. Further honours with the club include a record sixEFL Cups and anFA Cup; he was also part of the club's firstUEFA Champions League final. Agüero won aPremier League Golden Boot and was twice included in thePFA Team of the Year. He is the sixthall-time Premier League goalscorer and the second highest non-English scorer in the competition, with184 goals. He held the record for the most Premier League goals scored by a player for any single club until it was overtaken byHarry Kane in 2022.[12][13] In 2021, he joined Barcelona on afree transfer,[14][15] before retiring from football aged 33 due to heart problems in the same year.[16] He played just four matches for the club, with his only goal coming in the firstEl Clásico of the2021–22 season.
Sergio Agüero joined the youth system ofIndependiente at the age of nine. He started playing for the side, becoming the youngest player to debut in the first division at 15 years and 35 days (on 5 July 2003 againstClub Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro), when Independiente's coach,Oscar Ruggeri sent Agüero onto the field as a substitute forEmanuel Rivas in the 69th minute of the match.[19][20] His performance was well received by the press.[21][22][23] Despite his early debut, he was not selected again by Ruggeri, and his replacementOsvaldo Sosa, for the remainder of2002–03 season, having made only one appearance in theTorneo Clausura. Following the arrival of coachJose Omar Pastoriza, seven months after Agüero's first match he returned to the club's first-team in 4–2 win againstPeru'sCienciano during the group stages of the2004 Copa Libertadores. This meant that he also became the youngest player to participate in theCopa Libertadores, a record that he held for three years.[24] One month later, Agüero again featured in a Copa Libertadores fixture againstEcuador'sEl Nacional. On 19 June, for the first time, Agüero played a full 90-minute match for Independiente againstAtlético de Rafaela during theTorneo Clausura.[25] He scored his first goal for Independiente in a 2–2 draw againstEstudiantes on 26 November, with a 22nd minute shot from outside the penalty area.[26][27] Agüero became a regular in the club's first-team, being selected for theArgentina U-20 squad for the2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which Argentina won.
During the2005–06 season, Agüero scored 18 goals in 36 league appearances, having missed two games due to suspension. In a 4–0 win againstRacing Club on 11 September, he dribbled from inside of his own half and scored Independiente's fourth goal with a left footed shot.[27][28] His first red card came in the Torneo Apertura, after slapping an opponent in a match againstTiro Federal.[29] His outstanding performances during theTorneo Apertura attracted interest from a number of large European clubs, and, after months of speculation, Agüero announced on TV in April that he intended to leave the club at the end of the season. Before the end of the season, there had already been speculation of a possible transfer toAtlético Madrid.[27] With his performances being lauded by the press, there was talk of a possible call up for Agüero for the2006 FIFA World Cup.[30][31][32] In a 2–0 away victory againstOlimpo de Bahia Blanca in round 17 of the Torneo Clausura, Agüero received his fifth yellow card of the season. This prevented him from playing his last game for Independiente in a fixture againstBoca Juniors inAvellaneda one week later. The yellow card brought tears to his eyes, as television cameras recorded.[33] Agüero, who scored Independiente's second goal of the match later said "I think that it was my last goal for Independiente". He played his last game for Independiente, two weeks later, in a 2–0 away defeat toRosario Central.[34] On 30 May, Agüero officially transferred to Atlético Madrid for €20 million, marking a record for the club.[35]
In May 2006, Agüero joined Spanish clubAtlético Madrid for a fee reported to be around €20 million, breaking the club's previous transfer record.[36][37] He caused controversy early in his Atlético career by using his hands to score the winning goal againstRecreativo Huelva on 14 October 2006, only his second goal for the club, with the first coming in a 4–1 away win againstAthletic Bilbao on 17 September.[38] He ended his first season in Madrid with seven goals in all competitions, eased into European football by managerJavier Aguirre, who opted to bring him in and out of the line-up as Atlético finished seventh, enough to qualify for theUEFA Intertoto Cup.
Following the departure of strike partnerFernando Torres toLiverpool in the summer of 2007, Agüero secured his starting spot for theRojiblancos and soon became arguably the team's most important player at the age of just 19. In the2007–08 season, he finished third highest scorer inLa Liga, behindDani Güiza andLuís Fabiano, with 19 goals, and was runner up in theTrofeo Alfredo Di Stéfano award.[39] Agüero won many plaudits for hisman of the match display againstBarcelona in March 2008, scoring twice, assisting a goal and winning a penalty for Atlético in a 4–2 win.[40][41] He also scored important goals against the likes ofReal Madrid,Valencia,Sevilla andVillarreal to help Atlético finish fourth and qualify for theUEFA Champions League for the first time in over ten years.[42]
Agüero was once again a regular goalscorer for Atlético in the2008–09 season, continuing to establish a lethal partnership withUruguayan strikerDiego Forlán, also a former Independiente player. On 16 September, he scored his first Champions League goals in a 3–0 away win atPSV Eindhoven, helping Atlético eventually reach the last 16 of the competition.[43] In March 2009, Forlán and Agüero each scored abrace in a 4–3 win over league leaders Barcelona, the latter scoring the winning goal in the match's final minutes.[44] With the help of more vital goals in a formidable end of the season run-in from his team, Agüero finished in the top ten contenders for thePichichi Trophy, which was won by his teammate Forlán.[45] Atlético finished fourth in the league, qualifying for the following season'sChampions League.
2009–11: UEFA Europa League win and departure
Despite not being as prolific in front of goal, Agüero had another good season in2009–10, and was praised for his influential performances as Atlético enjoyed their most successful season in over a decade.[46] On 3 November 2009, he scored twice againstChelsea during a 2–2 draw in the Champions League at theVicente Calderón. Atlético were knocked out of the competition, but went on to reach the final of the2009–10 UEFA Europa League, where Agüero assisted both goals in a 2–1extra time win against English clubFulham.[47] He also helped Atlético reach the final of theCopa del Rey, although this time they were not victorious, losing to Sevilla in theCamp Nou on 19 May.[48]
Agüero (left; pictured withPepe) with Atlético Madrid during the2010–11 season
On 27 August 2010, Atlético Madrid captured theUEFA Super Cup by beating favoritesInter Milan 2–0. Agüero provided the assist forJosé Antonio Reyes' opening goal and then secured the win by scoring the second.[49] On 4 January 2011, Atlético Madrid confirmed via their official website that Agüero had signed a new contract which would keep him at the club until 2014.[50] The following day, he was named as the newvice-captain of Atlético, along with strike partner Diego Forlán.[51] The2010–11 season was arguably Agüero's most successful for Atlético, as he scored 20 league goals for the first time in his career. Between March and May 2011, he went on a run of seven consecutive goalscoring appearances, a feat that no other player in Europe could match during the season.[52] Agüero's final outing for Atlético came on 21 May againstMallorca, a game in which he reached twomilestones. In a 4–3 win, he scored his first careerhat-trick, the second goal being his 100th for theColchoneros.[53] Failure to celebrate any of the goals, however, led to speculation that he would be on his way out of the club.
On 23 May 2011, Agüero announced on his official website that he wanted to move from Atlético and formally asked to be released from his contract.[54][55] Agüero later spoke toESPN, where he stated that he would "not be returning to Atlético".[56] On the same day that Agüero officially became aManchester City player, Atlético hosted a2011–12 Europa League qualifier againstStrømsgodset IF, where a group of Atlético fans brandished "Agüero, We Hope You Die" banners in a reaction to the striker's transfer to City at the Vicente Calderón on 28 July 2011, after he had previously stated his desire to see out his contract with the club just weeks before requesting a transfer.[57] Upon his departure, Atlético used the money from Agüero's sale to buyRadamel Falcao as his replacement.[58]
Manchester City
2011–12: Record transfer and Premier League win
On 28 July 2011,Manchester City confirmed that Agüero had signed a five-year contract with the club. The fee was reported to be in the region of £35 million.[59][60] He was given the number 16 shirt for his first season at City and, as he did in Atlético, wore the name "Kun Agüero" on his shirt. He was an unused substitute in theDublin Super Cup match against Inter Milan and the2011 FA Community Shield againstManchester United with managerRoberto Mancini believing Agüero was not yet fit.[61] Agüero made his debut for City on 15 August 2011 in a 4–0 Premier League victory overSwansea City. Agüero came on as a substitute in the 59th minute, scoring his first goal for the club within nine minutes after a tap-in from a cross from full backMicah Richards. He then turned provider with an assist after chipping over the oncoming goalkeeper before flicking the ball back into the penalty box and into the path ofDavid Silva to score. Agüero rounded off his debut by scoring again in injury time with a 30-yard strike. His 30-minute debut gained rave reviews among football journalists, with some suggesting it was one of the best in English football.[62][63]
City continued their strong start, winning 3–2 away atBolton Wanderers with Agüero missing two chances in the penalty box.[64] On 28 August, Agüero scored his third league goal in Manchester City's 5–1 rout ofTottenham Hotspur.[65] On his third start for the club, he scored his firstPremier League hat-trick, againstWigan Athletic.[66] On 18 September, he scored twice atCraven Cottage againstFulham, but City were held to a 2–2 draw.[67] Having been substituted after just 28 minutes due to an injury during a 4–0 win againstBlackburn Rovers on 1 October, Agüero returned to action in a2011–12 UEFA Champions League group stage fixture, where he came on forNigel de Jong on 62 minutes and scored a 93rd-minute winner in his side's 2–1 victory against Villarreal on 18 October.[68][69] On 23 October, Agüero took part in his firstManchester derby, scoring in the 69th minute as he converted a Micah Richards pass across the face of goal. The match finished 6–1 to City.[70] On 1 November, Agüero was shortlisted for the prestigiousFIFA Ballon d'Or. On 19 November, he scored a penalty in a 3–1 win at home toNewcastle United, ending Newcastle's unbeaten start to the season.[71]
Agüero (right) andSamir Nasri parade the Premier League trophy, May 2012
Agüero made hisLeague Cup debut in the quarter final match againstArsenal at theEmirates Stadium, scoring the only goal of the game in the 83rd minute from anAdam Johnson through-ball.[72] His next goal came in a 5–1 home win againstNorwich City, opening the scoring in the 32nd minute, giving him his 13th goal of the season and maintaining the team's 100% league record at home.[73] On 21 December, he scored a brace as City beatStoke City 3–0 at home.[74] On 3 January 2012, he opened the scoring in a 3–0 win at home to Liverpool, beatingPepe Reina with a low shot.[75] Agüero scored his 15th goal on 4 February, scoring a penalty against Fulham in a 3–0 win at a snow-coveredCity of Manchester Stadium.
During the first-leg of a Europa League round of 32 match againstPorto, Agüero entered the field in the 78th minute forMario Balotelli and scored the match-winning goal, and his firstEuropa League goal for Manchester City, in the 85th minute.[76] The game ended 2–1, and, in the second-leg, Agüero scored within 19 seconds in a 4–0 win on 22 February. Manchester City advanced to thelast 16 of the2011–12 UEFA Europa League, having won 6–1 on aggregate. On 25 February, Agüero scored his 16th league goal in a 3–0 win against Blackburn.[77][78] During the second-leg of Manchester City'sRound of 16 Europa League fixture againstSporting CP on 15 March, Agüero netted a double to help City claim a 3–2 win, having been trailing 2–0 at half-time, to level the scores at 3–3 on aggregate. Sporting CP won on away goals, as they defeated Manchester City 1–0 in the first-leg on 8 March.[79] One week later, Agüero scored his 17th league goal in 2–1 win against Chelsea on 21 March.[80] On 29 March, Agüero was ruled out for 10 days to two weeks due to a foot problem, which was later diagnosed as a reaction to a substance that blistered his foot.[81][82][83]
On 11 April, Agüero scored two goals for himself and also set up another two goals (for David Silva andCarlos Tevez) in a 4–0 home victory againstWest Bromwich Albion.[84] On 14 April, Agüero scored a double in a 6–1 away win against Norwich City, his two goals meaning that he had surpassed 20 league goals in the Premier League.[85] He scored one goal in the next match, in which Manchester City beatWolverhampton Wanderers 2–0.[86] On 4 May, Agüero was namedManchester City Player of The Year. His first goal in the 6–1 away win against Norwich also won him the club's Goal of the Season award.[87]
"In my career so far it's the most important goal. You score the goal in the last minute to win the title. You're not sure if that's ever going to happen in your career again. I wish I could tell you how I did it but I can't. I thought for all the world thatMario [Balotelli] was going to have a go himself but he just moved it on one more and it fell at my feet and I just thought: 'Hit the target, hit it as hard as you can and hit the target.' And it went in."
Sergio Agüero, on hislast-minute goal against Queens Park Rangers in 2012 which won the Premier League for City.[88]
Five straight wins helped City wipe out an eight-point deficit against Manchester United and they went into the final day's fixtures leading on goal difference. Facing relegation-threatenedQueens Park Rangers, City needed to match or better United's result atSunderland. By the 66th minute, QPR'sJoey Barton was sent off after elbowing Agüero's teammateCarlos Tevez in the face. After being shown the red card, Barton proceeded to kick Agüero's knee, then attempted to attackVincent Kompany, only for him to be held back byMicah Richards. Despite that, QPR still went ahead 2–1 against City, while United were 1–0 up against Sunderland.
In response, manager Roberto Mancini sent on strikersEdin Džeko andMario Balotelli in an attempt to get the two goals City now needed for the title. Five minutes of injury time began for City with their and United's match scores unchanged. Džeko equalised to give City a glimmer of hope and United finished their own game with a 1–0 victory. In the 94th minute, Agüero, receiving the ball from Balotelli, drove into the penalty area and placed a powerful low shot into the corner of the goal, clinching the win and the first top flight English title for Manchester City since 1968.[89] Agüero's goal sent theCity of Manchester Stadium into a frenzy and he was dragged to the floor jubilantly by his City teammates.Vincent Kompany recalled that Agüero was crying on the floor,[90] and when asked if he cried during the Manchester City parade the following day, Agüero stated: "Yeah, a little".[91]
2012–13: Injuries and league runner-up
Agüero started the2012–13 season in the2012 FA Community Shield against Chelsea atVilla Park as Manchester City won 3–2.[92] In Manchester City's first league match, Agüero had to be stretchered off in the 13th minute of their home game againstSouthampton due to a knee injury.[93] Agüero was an unused substitute in City's 3–2 defeat to Real Madrid on 18 September 2012. Following the match, Agüero said he would have joined Real Madrid had they made an offer for him in 2011 but was left with "no option but to join City".[94] Agüero made his return in a 1–1 home draw against Arsenal in the Premier League and went on to score his first goal of the season against Fulham on 29 September in a 2–1 away win in the Premier League.[95][96] He followed this up with another goal the following weekend against Sunderland in a 3–0 home win.[97] His next league goal came in a 2–1 win at home against Tottenham on 11 November.[98] He followed this up with another two goals the following weekend againstAston Villa in a 5–0 win at home.[99] Agüero also scored in back-to-back games in the Champions League in successive draws at home toAjax and Real Madrid.[100][101] He scored his next goal on 15 December, where he scored the opening goal, as Manchester City won 3–1 away against Newcastle.[102] Agüero then scored against Norwich City on 29 December in a 4–3 away win.[103] In his next match on 2 January, after scoring a penalty in the 73rd minute, Agüero damaged his hamstring during a 3–0 victory over Stoke.[104]
Agüero made his return for Manchester City on 19 January after coming on as an 81st-minute substitute in a 2–0 victory against Fulham.[105] On 3 February, Agüero scored the equaliser after beating Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina in a race to the ball out near the right corner flag.[106] On 17 February, Agüero helped Manchester City to the quarter-finals of theFA Cup as he scored twice in a 4–0 win at home toLeeds United.[107] He sustained a knee injury in the 2–0 win over Chelsea on 24 February.[108] This eventually led to him missing the Argentina squad for the2014 FIFA World Cup qualification matches againstVenezuela andBolivia.[109] Agüero made his return for Manchester City on 30 March after coming on as a substitute with warm reception in a 4–0 victory against Newcastle.[110]
On 8 April, Agüero scored a solo goal to give City the win in the Manchester derby in the 78th minute, seven minutes after coming on as asubstitute forSamir Nasri.[111] Agüero then scored a header to help Manchester City defeat Chelsea on 14 April in the FA Cup semi-final and reach the final.[112] In the 82nd minute of the tie, Agüero made a two-footed tackle onDavid Luiz after the defender had previously appeared to tackle him.[113] Despite the incident warranting a red card at the time, the FA announced Agüero would not be punished following confirmation that refereeChris Foy had at least seen part of the incident and acted on it during the match. Many people disagreed with this decision and felt that the FA had failed to act.[114] On 17 April, Agüero revealed that he had apologised to David Luiz for his rash challenge on the defender.[115] Agüero withdrew as a precaution at half-time on 17 April in Manchester City's 1–0 home victory over Wigan after feeling tightness in a hamstring, but he appeared as an unused substitute in City's 3–1 away loss atWhite Hart Lane against Tottenham on 21 April.[116] He scored his next goal on 27 April, where he scored the opening goal, as Manchester City won 2–1 home againstWest Ham United.[117] On 11 May, Agüero started for Manchester City in the2013 FA Cup Final, where the team lost 1–0 to Wigan. Agüero scored his final goal of the season in a 2–0 away win againstReading on 14 May.[118]
The Times reported that he was the main transfer target of Spanish giants Real Madrid,[119] but Agüero responded by saying, "I'm very happy at City and I feel appreciated and loved here which means a lot to me."[120] Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano also negated the idea of a transfer, insisting Agüero would stay at the City of Manchester Stadium.[121][122] However, former Argentina internationalDiego Maradona backed him to join Real Madrid, believing Agüero's presence in the Madrid team could help get even more out ofCristiano Ronaldo.[123] On 25 May 2013, Agüero signed a one-year extension to his contract, keeping him at Manchester City until 2017.[124][125] Agüero stated his commitment to Manchester City on 28 May 2013, saying, "I'm committed to Manchester City, it's a great club."[126]
Following a knee injury that ruled him out of all of the club's pre-season games,[127] Agüero scored in City's 4–0 victory over Newcastle United in the opening game of the2013–14 Premier League season.[128] On 22 September 2013, he scored a brace in a 4–1 home win against Manchester United.[129] On 8 November, after scoring five goals in four matches between 5 October and 2 November, Agüero was awarded thePremier League Player of the Month for the first time. During the same period, he had also scored both goals for City in a 2–1 away win againstCSKA Moscow in theChampions League.[130] He scored six goals in five matches in theChampions League group stage as Manchester City qualified for theknockout phase for the first time.
On 14 December 2013, Agüero was substituted in a 6–3 win against Arsenal due to a calf injury[131] and missed eight matches.[132] On 16 January 2014, he returned from injury in anFA Cup third-round replay against Blackburn Rovers, scoring after coming on as a substitute in the 5–0 win.[133] In the next round of the competition, he scored his first hat-trick of the season in a 4–2 victory overWatford. On 29 January, he scored his 50th Premier League goal in a 5–1 victory at Tottenham but was substituted with a hamstring injury.[134][135] On 2 March, Agüero returned to the City team for the2014 Football League Cup Final, where they beat Sunderland 3–1 atWembley Stadium.[136] In his third appearance since returning from the hamstring problem, Agüero suffered a recurrence of the injury and was withdrawn at half-time in a 2–1 Champions League loss atCamp Nou against Barcelona.[137] He missed the team's next five league matches, before returning to the starting line-up in a 3–2 loss against Liverpool atAnfield on 13 April.[138] On 21 April, Agüero scored his first goal since January in a 3–1 defeat of West Bromwich Albion at the City of Manchester Stadium.[139] After scoring his final goal of the season in a 3–2 win overEverton atGoodison Park on 3 May, Agüero started for Manchester City against West Ham as the team secured its second Premier League title in three seasons with a 2–0 win.[140]
2014–16: League top goalscorer and individual success
On 14 August 2014, Agüero signed a new five-year contract to keep him at City until 2019.[141] Agüero scored his first goal of2014–15 while appearing as an 83rd-minute substitute for Edin Džeko in City's opening match of thePremier League season against Newcastle on 17 August.[142] Due to his late return from the World Cup, Agüero was again used as a substitute in the second game of the season against Liverpool, but, after replacing Džeko, took just 23 seconds to score City's third goal in the 3–1 win.[143] On 18 October, he scored all four of City's goals in a 4–1 home win over Tottenham, two of which were penalties; he took another penalty in the match, but it was saved byHugo Lloris. This took Agüero to 61 Premier League goals for the club, surpassing Carlos Tevez as the club's record scorer in the competition.[144] He was the first player in the season to reach ten Premier League goals, doing so with the only goal in the Manchester derby on 2 November.[145]
Aguero is every bit as important to them asLuis Suárez was to Liverpool last year orGareth Bale to Tottenham Hotspur the year before.
— English football journalistMartin Samuel after City's win over Bayern Munich.[146]
Agüero sustained a knee injury in the second minute of Manchester City's 1–0 win over Everton on 6 December[152] and was unable to appear again for the remainder of 2014. He returned to City's matchday squad for the return fixture with Everton at Goodison Park on 10 January 2015[153] and appeared as a 67th-minute substitute in the 1–1 draw.[154] On 11 February, he scored his first two goals of 2015 in a 4–1 win at Stoke City.[155] On 21 February, 72 seconds into a match against Newcastle United, Agüero scored the fastest penalty kick in the Premier League since 1994.[156] On 12 April, Agüero scored twice in a 4–2 derby loss to Manchester United atOld Trafford. His second goal of the match took him to 100 goals for City in all competitions.[157] On 19 April, he scored his 20th league goal of the season in a 2–0 home win against West Ham United.[158] He passed 30 goals for the season with a hat-trick in a 6–0 home win over Queens Park Rangers on 9 May, relegating the opponents.[159] On 24 May, in City's final match of the season against Southampton, Agüero scored his 26th league goal of the season, ending 2014–15 with thePremier League Golden Boot.[160]
On 7 August 2015, Agüero announced he would be switching from his number 16 shirt to the number 10 shirt, previously worn by teammateEdin Džeko.[161] Nine days later, he opened the scoring in a 3–0 home victory over reigning champions Chelsea.[162] During City's 2–0 victory away at Everton on 23 August, Agüero halted the game after noticing that an Everton supporter was in need of emergency treatment. The striker alerted the referee and the other players and made sure that the man received attention from the medics.[163] On 30 September, Agüero earned and converted a last-minute penalty to give City a 2–1 win atBorussia Mönchengladbach in theChampions League group stage.[164] On 3 October, Agüero scored five goals against Newcastle in a 6–1 comeback win, joiningAndy Cole,Alan Shearer,Jermain Defoe andDimitar Berbatov in scoring as many in a Premier League game.[165] His five goals within 23 minutes of game time made it the fastest five-goal haul since the Premier League started in 1992.[166] Four minutes after scoring his fifth goal in the 62nd minute, Agüero was substituted by managerManuel Pellegrini, as he had been receiving treatment due to a leg injury at half time.[167]
On 8 October, in a2018 World Cup qualifying match againstEcuador, Agüero sustained a hamstring injury early on and was carried off the pitch in tears. Agüero himself said he expected to be out for around four weeks (in which the derby against Manchester United was to be played), although several media outlets later claimed the injury would last for eight weeks.[168][169] He returned on 21 November, scoring in a 1–4 home loss to Liverpool; this was his 85th Premier League goal, making him the top-scoring South American of all time in the division, ahead of his compatriot and former strike partner Carlos Tevez.[170] On 16 April 2016, Agüero scored a hat-trick in a 3–0 win at Chelsea, ending with a penalty kick. He became the third visiting player to score a Premier League hat-trick at Stamford Bridge, and the fifth player to have three 20-goal seasons in the division.[171] Three days later, he scored his100th Premier League goal in a 1–1 draw at Newcastle. He reached the century in 147 games, second only toAlan Shearer who did so in 124.[172] The goal was also his sixth against Newcastle for the season, making him just the sixth player in the Premier League era to have scored six goals against the same club in a single campaign.[173] Agüero ended the2015–16 Premier League season with 24 goals, one behind Golden Boot winnerHarry Kane and level withJamie Vardy.[174] However, with his goals coming from 30 appearances, Agüero recorded the league's best goals to minute ratio.[175]
2016–20: All-time club top scorer, sustained domestic success
On 13 August 2016, Agüero scored Manchester City's first competitive goal under the management ofPep Guardiola in a 2–1 victory against Sunderland on the opening day of the2016–17 Premier League season.[176] In a league match against West Ham on 28 August, Agüero struck opponentWinston Reid in the throat with his arm, an incident which went unpunished by the referee. Reid lost his voice with the strike, and had to be substituted. The FA gave Agüero a three-match ban for violent conduct, accusing him of behaving in an "aggressive manner that was excessive in force and brutal".[177] On 5 November, Agüero scored his 150th goal for Manchester City in a 1–1 draw againstMiddlesbrough in the league.[178] Agüero was sent off in a 1–3 loss to Chelsea on 3 December for a tackle onDavid Luiz and was given a four-match suspension.[179]
"He's a legend, and it's a part of history in the club. Aguero's numbers speak for themselves – he is amazing."
Having scored on Manchester City's opening fixture of the season againstBrighton & Hove Albion on 12 August 2017,[181] Agüero scored his second goal of the season against Liverpool in a 5–0 win on 9 September. This was his 124th Premier League goal, and saw him overtake TrinidadianDwight Yorke as the top-scoring non-European in the competition's history.[182] One week later, Agüero scored his sixth Premier League hat-trick in a 6–0 win atWatford to put Manchester City top of the league. On 28 September, he was involved in a road accident after attending aMaluma concert in Amsterdam, when his taxi crashed into a lamppost. He was left with a fractured rib and ruled out for two weeks.[183][184]
On 21 October, Agüero scored his 177th goal for Manchester City in a 3–0 win overBurnley, equalling the record set byEric Brook. This was also theCitizens 11th straight win, equalling another club record.[185] He scored his record 178th goal for the team on 1 November away atNapoli in a Champions League group game, a 4–2 win that sent his team through to the knockout stages of the competition.[186] On 20 January 2018, Agüero scored a perfect hat-trick, his second of the season, against Newcastle in a 3–1 win with his second goal being the landmark 350th goal of his career.[187] He was later awarded thePremier League Player of the Month for January, claiming the award for the fifth time in his career.[188] On 10 February, Agüero scored four goals in a 5–1Premier League home thrashing ofLeicester City, claiming his third hat-trick of the season.[189] He opened the scoring in the2018 EFL Cup Final on 25 February, by chippingArsenal'sDavid Ospina in a 1vs1 situation, ultimately helping City secure a convincing 3–0 victory atWembley Stadium.[190]
In City's first game of the 2018–19 season, Agüero scored both goals in the 2–02018 FA Community Shield victory over Chelsea, the first goal being his 200th for the club.[191] On 19 August 2018, Agüero scored his 9th Premier League hat-trick in a 6–1 home victory againstHuddersfield Town, putting him behind onlyAlan Shearer's 11.[192] He also leapfroggedRobin van Persie to enter the league's top ten scorers of all time, and second place in foreign Premier League scorers only toThierry Henry's 175.[193] Agüero hit the post twice in a 1–1 away draw againstWolverhampton Wanderers.[194] On 21 September, Manchester City confirmed via their official website that Agüero had signed a new contract with the club which would keep him at the club until 2021.[195] On 22 September, in his 300th appearance for Manchester City, Agüero scored the opening goal in an eventual 5–0 away win over Cardiff City.[196]
On 4 November, Agüero scored his 150th Premier League goal in a 6–1 home win over Southampton in his 217th Premier League appearance; he became only the ninth player in history to achieve this landmark, and only the third player after Henry andWayne Rooney to do so for one club. He was also the second-fastest player to reach this milestone, after Shearer, who took five fewer appearances.[197][198] On 11 November, Agüero scored the second goal in a 3–1 win against Manchester United, making him the joint highest scorer in Manchester derbies in the Premier League era, level with Rooney.[199] On 29 January 2019, Agüero scored after 24 seconds in an eventual 2–1 defeat at Newcastle United.[200] On 3 February, he scored a hat-trick against Arsenal, including a goal after 48 seconds, bringing his Premier League tally of hat-tricks to ten, in a 3–1 win at the Etihad Stadium.[201] On 10 February, Agüero scored his 11th Premier League hat-trick, as City defeated rivals Chelsea 6–0 at home;[202] with this feat, he equalled Shearer's record of 11 in the competition.[203] The hat trick also saw him overtakeTommy Johnson's and Eric Brook's record of 158 league goals for the club, and set a new record of 160 goals.[204] The following month, he scored twice in a 7–0 (10–2 aggregate) Champions League win overSchalke 04 and in doing so helped the club equal the record for the largest winning margin in the knockout-phase of the competition.[205][206]
On 10 August 2019, Agüero came on as a substitute replacing Gabriel Jesus, in a match that was dominated by the newly introducedVAR, at theLondon Stadium againstWest Ham United. With City 3–0 up, they were awarded a penalty for a foul onRiyad Mahrez. Agüero took the penalty and it was saved by opposing keeperŁukasz Fabiański. However, VAR stepped in and re-awarded the penalty for an infringement byDeclan Rice. Agüero scored the re-awarded penalty in an eventual 5–0 away opening day win for theCitizens to start their Premier League title defence.[207] On 12 January 2020, Agüero scored 12th hattrick of hisPremier League career againstAston Villa in 6–1 away victory atVilla Park, taking his individual tally past Henry's 175 goal mark.[208] Agüero scored the 399th and 400th goals of his professional career in a 3–1 away win overAFC Bournemouth on 25 August.[209]
2020–21: Final season, European finalist
After several weeks on the sidelines due to ameniscus injury,[210] Agüero returned to action on 17 October 2020 in a 1–0 victory against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.[211] On 21 October, he scored his first goal of the season in a 3–1 win over Porto in the2020–21 UEFA Champions League.[212] On 13 March 2021, Agüero scored his first league goal since January 2020 in a 3–0 away win againstFulham.[213] On 29 March 2021, City announced that Agüero would leave the club at the end of the season following the expiry of his contract.[214] On 23 May, on his final league appearance for the club, Agüero came off the bench to score twice in an eventual 5–0 home win over Everton, as City celebrated their Premier League title victory on the last matchday of the season; his brace saw him reach 184 league goals in 275 appearances, breakingWayne Rooney's record for most Premier League goals for a single club.[215] On 29 May, he played his last match for the club after he came on as substitute in the second half, in a 1–0 loss against Chelsea in theChampions League final, where he was seen crying at the end, having failed to win the Champions League in his final game with City.[216] In total, Agüero managed 260 goals for City in 390 appearances.[217]
Barcelona and retirement
I am proud or happy for my career. Since I was five years old, I have dreamed of playing soccer, being in the First Division [in Argentina], I never thought of arriving in Europe. Thanks Independiente, Atlético de Madrid, who bet on me when I was 18 years old, the people of City, who already know how I feel, I have left the best. To Barça, it has been incredible, I knew that I was coming to one of the best clubs in the world, but things happen for a reason. And to the Argentina national team, which is what I love the most.
On 31 May 2021, Agüero agreed to sign forLa Liga clubBarcelona on a two-year contract starting 1 July, with a buyout clause set at €100 million.[219]
On 17 October, he debuted as a substitute in a 3–1 home victory against Valencia.[220] In his firstEl Clásico appearance on 24 October, Agüero came on as a substitute in the 77th minute, scoring his first goal for the club in the last minute of play of a 2–1 home defeat toReal Madrid.[221] One week later, he was taken to hospital with chest discomfort diagnosed ascardiac arrhythmia during an eventual 1–1 home draw againstAlavés.[222] It was reported in November that he would be out of action for at least three months,[223] but on 15 December, Agüero announced his retirement from football on the advice of doctors, and thanked the teams he had played for.[224][218]
International career
Youth teams
Agüero was selected for theArgentina U17 team to participate at the2004 U-16 South American Championship in Paraguay in September. He participated in all of Argentina's group stage matches, scoring in a 2–1 win against theUnited States and a 3–1 win againstEcuador to help Argentina finish top of their group. Agüero scored in the 47th minute of Argentina's 1–0 quarter-final victory againstPeru, setting up a semi-final match againstColombia which Argentina lost 2–0.
Agüero represented Argentina at twoFIFA World Youth Championships, winning back-to-back world titles. He was part of the team that won the2005 edition in the Netherlands, alongside his future 2008 Olympics squad teammatesFernando Gago andLionel Messi. At the2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, held in Canada, Agüero scored twice and helped set up three goals in a 6–0 win overPanama in the second game of the group stage of the tournament. He then scored the only goal in Argentina's third match againstNorth Korea from a free kick. Having qualified to the round of 16, he scored two of the three goals againstPoland that would eventually give them a3–1 win to advance to the next round. Argentina defeatedMexico in the quarter-finals andChile in the semi-finals, and faced theCzech Republic inthe final, a team they drew0–0 in the group stage. Agüero captained and scored the equaliser in the 62nd minute, leading to a 2–1 victory. In addition, Agüero won the Golden Boot of the tournament, scoring six goals in seven, and the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament.
As a member of the Argentine squad for the2008 Beijing Olympics, Agüero scored two goals in the space of five minutes in the semi-final3–0 win overBrazil on 19 August 2008.[225] Argentina went on to win its second consecutive gold medal at the Olympic tournament.
Agüero taking on two Swiss players in an international friendly in 2012
Agüero was named in the 23-man squad for the2011 Copa América where Argentina had been drawn into Group A withBolivia,Colombia, andCosta Rica.[citation needed] On 1 July, in Argentina's openinggroup stage match against Bolivia, he came on forEzequiel Lavezzi on 71 minutes and scored an equaliser on 76 minutes to secure a 1–1 draw.[228][229] On 11 July, in Argentina's third group stage match against Costa Rica, Agüero scored a goal in each half as Argentina won 3–0 and finished in second position in their group.[230]
Agüero was named in the Argentine squad for the2015 Copa América, and in a warm-up game on 7 June against Bolivia inSan Juan, he scored his first international hat-trick in a 5–0 victory.[233] On 13 June, he scored Argentina's opening goal of the tournament in a 2–2group stage draw withParaguay.[234] Three days later at the same ground, he headed a cross from Manchester City teammatePablo Zabaleta for a 1–0 win against holdersUruguay.[235] At the semi-final stage, Agüero headed inÁngel Di María's cross as Argentina defeated Paraguay 6–1 to reach the2015 Copa América Final.[236] Agüero started the final againstChile, but was replaced in the 74th minute for Gonzalo Higuaín in an eventual penalty shootout loss.[237]
Agüero was included inGerardo Martino's 23-man squad for theCopa América Centenario and scored his first goal of the tournament in Argentina's second group match, a 5–0 win overPanama on 10 June 2016, which allowed them to advance to the quarter-finals of the competition.[238] Agüero considered retiring from international football shortly after losing againstChile in a penalty shootout in thefinal of the tournament for a second consecutive time.[239]
2018 World Cup, 2019 Copa América, and 2021 Copa América
On 14 November 2017, Agüero was taken to hospital after fainting in the dressing room at half-time in a 4–2 loss toNigeria in a friendly match inKrasnodar,Russia.[240]
In May 2018, Agüero was named in Argentina's preliminary 35-mansquad for the2018 FIFA World Cup inRussia;[241] later that month, he was included inJorge Sampaoli's final 23-man squad for the competition.[242] In his team's first group match of the tournament againstIceland on 16 June, he scored the opening goal of an eventual 1–1 draw; this was his first ever World Cup goal.[243] In the round of 16 match againstFrance on 30 June, Agüero scored Argentina's final goal in a 4–3 defeat, which saw his side eliminated from the World Cup.[244]
On 21 May 2019, he was included inLionel Scaloni's final 23-man Argentina squad for the2019 Copa América.[245] In Argentina's final group match againstQatar on 23 June, Agüero scored the second goal in a 2–0 win, which enabled his team to advance to the knock-out stages.[246] On 28 June, in the quarter-finals of the tournament, Agüero assistedLautaro Martínez's opening goal, and was also involved in the second goal, scored byGiovani Lo Celso, as Argentina defeated Venezuela 2–0 to advance to the semi-finals.[247] In the third-place match against Chile on 6 July, Agüero scored the opening goal in an eventual 2–1 win, to help Argentina capture the bronze medal.[248]
On 28 June 2021, Agüero made his100th senior international appearance for Argentina in a 4–1 win against Bolivia in his team's final group stage match of the2021 Copa América, also setting up Messi's second goal.[249] Argentina eventually won the tournament.
During the2022 FIFA World Cup, Agüero was present with the winning Argentine team for the duration of the tournament as an unofficial supporter, as his heart conditions had forced his retirement a year earlier. Though not an official member of the team, he was seen celebrating with the players after their win in the final.[250]
Style of play
Sergio is a photocopy ofRomário, they are the same player.
Often considered to be one of the best strikers in the world,[252] Agüero is regarded as an all-outcentre forward,[253] although he is a versatile player, who can also play as asecond striker off another striker, which he often did at Atlético Madrid withDiego Forlán,[254][255] due to his passing ability, link-up play, tactical intelligence, and vision, which made him a capableassist-man.[255][256] When asked to name the players who influenced his playing style, Agüero named former Brazilian strikerRonaldo,Lionel Messi,Ronaldinho andDiego Maradona as the best players to have played the game, but said that the player who influenced his style of play the most was "the Brazilian Ronaldo".[257] Aguero has a diminutive figure with a stocky build, which has led to comparisons with former Manchester City teammateCarlos Tevez[258] and past forwards such asRomário,[251]Alessandro Del Piero,[256] and Diego Maradona.[259][260] When both were on the same team, some pundits called Agüero Tevez's heir apparent at City[261] and others said that he was superior to his compatriot.[262] His ex-manager at Manchester City,Roberto Mancini, has compared Agüero to former Brazilian striker, Romário, due to his pace, goalscoring ability, positioning in the area, and technique.[251] Although naturally right footed, Agüero is also capable of striking well with his left foot, and can finish well both inside and outside the area with his powerful and accurate shot.[256][259]
A prolific goalscorer, Agüero's playing style is characterised by agility, acceleration, excellent movement off the ball, and strength, being described as "sharp and clever" by former Argentine playerOsvaldo Ardiles;[263][264] a view which is shared by his international captain Lionel Messi, who believes Agüero possesses "immense power, strength and an incredible work ethic".[265] Combined with his close control, quick feet,dribbling skills, and strength to keep the ball, he has been described as "a menace in the box".[254][259] Despite his ability, Agüero's playing time has often been limited by injuries throughout his career.[259]
Personal life
Agüero in 2011
Agüero was formerly married to Gianinna Maradona, the youngest daughter ofDiego Maradona. On 19 February 2009, Giannina gave birth to their son, Benjamín, inMadrid. Diego Maradona was there for the birth of his first grandson, while Agüero, then 20, missed Atlético's training session earlier in the day. Atlético offered their congratulations in a statement on their official website.[266] Agüero and Giannina divorced in 2012 after four years of marriage.[267]
Agüero's nickname "Kun", which features on his shirt, dates back to his childhood. It was first given to him by his grandparents, due to a resemblance to the character "Kum-Kum" from the animeWanpaku Omukashi Kumu Kumu which was Agüero's favourite television programme as a child.[268] He said "I have grown to appreciate it because it's unique. It's not every day an athlete is nicknamed after a cartoon character!"[268] Agüero has a tattoo on the inside of his right arm inscribed inTengwar—a form of writing invented byJ. R. R. Tolkien inThe Lord of the Rings—that transliterates roughly toKun Agüero in theLatin script. He also has a tattoo on his left arm of his son's name and date of birth.[269] Agüero holdsSpanish nationality, after being granted citizenship in 2010 whilst playing forAtlético Madrid.[270]
Gastón del Castillo andMauricio del Castillo are brothers of Agüero.[271] Agüero shares a close friendship withLionel Messi, his regular roommate during outings for the national team since 2005. He described Messi as being "like a brother" in his 2014 autobiography,Born to Rise, which contains a foreword written by Messi.[272]
During the three-month football break due to thecoronavirus pandemic in 2020, Agüero started live-streaming himself playing various video games onTwitch. He became the fastest-growing streamer in the month of May,[273] reaching 1 million followers. He has been especially popular among the Spanish-speaking community, collaborating with many big names such asEl Rubius and even calling Messi once live on air.[274] In November 2022, Agüero joined the newly establishedKings League serving as chairman for one of the competing teams, Kunisports,[275] featuring as a guest player for his own side.[276]
Agüero welcomed his second child, a daughter named Olivia, with actress Sofía Calzetti in 2024.[277] In 2025,Disney+ releasedKun by Agüero, a documentary series about his life and career.[278]
Career statistics
Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[259][279]
^Bevan, Chris (7 August 2011)."Man City 2–3 Man Utd".BBC Sport.Archived from the original on 1 October 2013. Retrieved26 October 2015.
^"Top 20 greatest football debuts". Eurosport. 16 August 2011.Archived from the original on 1 September 2011. Retrieved17 August 2011.Sergio Aguero's stunning first outing for Manchester City on Monday night – in which he scored two goals and set up another – is undoubtedly one of the best Premier League debuts ever seen.
^abcStefano Cantalupi; Valerio Clari (13 July 2007)."Aguero, classe da vendere".La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian).Archived from the original on 10 January 2008. Retrieved22 September 2014.
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