Sergio Aguero has announced his retirement from football, bringing an end to a record-breaking career.
The Barcelona striker’s health problems have forced him to call time on his playing days at the age of just 33.
Though he did not have time to make himself a Camp Nou legend, he is firmly written into the history books of former clubs Independiente, Atletico Madrid, Manchester City and the Argentina national team.
The Buenos Aires-born hotshot will go down as one of the Premier League’s best-ever strikers after a stellar 10-year spell at City filled with goals, trophies and memorable performances.
We pick out Aguero’s five best career moments below.
5. Atletico Madrid 2-1 Fulham (May 12, 2010)
Aguero’s first of many trophies came with Atletico as he helped them land a first ever Europa League crown and their first piece of silverware since 1996.
Los Colchoneros overcame unlikely finalists Fulham in extra-time and Aguero was heavily involved, setting up Diego Forlan for both of the LaLiga side’s goals.
A scuffed shot from the youngster was finished by Forlan for the first, before Simon Davies rifled home an equaliser for the Cottagers.
But with the game heading towards a penalty shoot-out, Aguero tirelessly chased down a ball in the left channel before feeding a low cross into the path of his strike partner to earn Atleti the crown.
Lifting trophies would soon become a familiar feeling, with Aguero going on to pick up every piece of domestic silverware in England as well as the Copa America with Argentina.
4. Manchester City 4-0 Swansea (August 15, 2011)
Premier League debuts do not come much better than Aguero’s for City.
There was plenty of pressure on the diminutive striker following his hotly anticipated £35million arrival from Atletico.
Then only 23 years old, Aguero was brought on around the hour mark against newly-promoted Swansea to show English football what he could do — and less than 10 minutes later he had his first goal.
A first assist soon followed, superbly looping the ball over Michel Vorm before teeing up David Silva — before adding another strike of his own with a stunning long-range strike in added time.
Any concerns prior to kick-off that Aguero’s fee was a tad excessive had been quashed in emphatic fashion.
3. Manchester City 6-1 Newcastle (October 3, 2015)
Not many performances showcase Aguero’s devastating goalscoring capabilities in full light more than when he put Newcastle to the sword during the 2015-16 season.
The hitman became only the fifth player to score five goals in a Premier League game during a ruthless display at the Etihad.
What made the feat even more astonishing was that all five goals came inside the same 20-minute spell.
With close-range poached goals, a delightful chip and a classy outside-of-the-box finish, this truly was the complete striker’s performance from the majestic Argentine.
There was just no stopping Aguero when he was in the mood — and he certainly was that day.
2. Aston Villa 0-6 Manchester City (January 12, 2020)
Another City romp in the Premier League in January 202 saw Aguero add another record to his collection.
The striker bagged a hat-trick against Aston Villa to surpass Thierry Henry as the leading overseas Premier League scorer — a record he still comfortably holds to this day.
His 12th top-flight treble not only took him to an astonishing 177 goals, but it also saw him overtake Alan Shearer’s record for the most Premier League hat-tricks.
Aguero went on to add another seven goals to his Premier League tally for City, which saw him also surpass Frank Lampard to sit fourth in the division’s all-time list.
The 184 Premier League strikes will take some beating by any challengers — only Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Andrew Cole have scored more.
1. Manchester City 3-2 QPR (May 13, 2012)
It simply could not be anything else.
In the closest-run Premier League title race ever, City simply needed to match rivals Manchester United’s result on the final day of the season to lift their first Premier League title.
The trophy looked to be heading to the red side of Manchester with City 2-1 down in added time and United winning at Sunderland, before Edin Dzeko headed home to draw Roberto Mancini’s side level and give them a glimmer of hope.
With only seconds left to salvage a dramatic victory, Aguero played a one-two with Mario Balotelli and rode a challenge before composing himself and firing into the net to spark utter delirium in the Etihad Stadium.
The jubilant fans, the iconic Martin Tyler commentary, the crazy scenes of celebration from the City bench — this moment truly had everything.Long live Aguero
Ofori Amponsah
