On 5 July 2003, he became the youngest player to debut in the Argentine First Division at 15 years and 35 days, breaking the record previously established by Diego Maradona in 1976.[3] Maradona would later become Agüero's father-in-law by virtue of Agüero's marriage to his daughter, Giannina.
At international level, Agüero represented the Argentina under-20 team at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2005 and in 2007 winning both tournaments. Agüero played at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he scored two goals in the 3–0 semi-final win against Brazil as Argentina went on to win the gold medal.[4] Agüero was selected to represent Argentina in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2011 Copa América.[5]
In 2006, Agüero moved to Europe to play for La Liga side Atlético Madrid for a fee of €23 million from Independiente. Here, he made a name for himself, attracting attention from Europe's top clubs by scoring 101 goals in 234 appearances while winning the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup in 2010. Agüero moved to Premier League club Manchester City in July 2011 for an undisclosed fee thought to be in the region of £38 million
Independiente
Sergio Agüero joined the youth system of Independiente at the age of nine. He started playing for the side, becoming the youngest player to debut in the division at 15 years and 35 days (on 5 July 2003 against Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro), breaking the record previously established by Diego Maradona in 1976, when Independiente's coach, Oscar Ruggeri sent Agüero onto the field as a substitute for Emanuel Rivas in the 69th minute of the match.[5][8] His performance was well received by the press,[9][10][11] Despite his early debut, Agüero was not selected again by Ruggeri, and his replacement Osvaldo Sosa, for the remainder of 2002–03 season, having only made just one appearance in the Torneo Clausura. Following the arrival of coach Jose Omar Pastoriza, seven months after Agüero's first match he returned to the club's first-team in 4–2 win against Peru's Cienciano during the group stages of the 2004 Copa Libertadores. This meant that Agüero also became the youngest player to participate in the Copa Libertadores, a record that he held for three years.[12] One month later, Agüero again featured in a Copa Libertadores fixture against Ecuador's El Nacional. On 19 June, for the first time, Agüero played a full 90 minute match for Independiente against Atlético de Rafaela during the Torneo Clausura.[13] He scored his first goal for Independiente in a 2–2 draw against Estudiantes on 26 November, with a 22nd minute shot from outside the penalty area.[14][15] Agüero became a regular in the club's first-team, being selected for the Argentina U-20 squad for the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which Argentina won. During the 2005–06 season, Agüero scored 18 goals in 36 league appearances, having missed two games due to suspension. In a 4–0 win against Racing on 11 September, Agüero dribbled from inside of his own half and scored Independiente's fourth goal with a left footed shot.[16][15] His first red card came in the Torneo Apertura, after slapping an opponent in a match against Tiro Federal.[17] His outstanding performances during the Torneo Apertura attracted interest from a number of big name 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 to Atlético Madrid.[15] With his performances being lauded by the press, there was talk of a possible call up for Agüero for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.[18][19][20] In a 2–0 away victory against Olimpo 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 against Boca Juniors in Avellaneda one week later. The yellow card brought tears to the eyes of Agüero, as television cameras recorded.[21] 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 to Rosario Central.[22] On 30 May, Agüero officially transferred to Atlético Madrid for €20 million, marking a record for the Bank of Spain.[23]Atlético Madrid
Despite not being as prolific in front of goal, Agüero had another good season in 2009–10, and was praised for his influential performances as Atlético enjoyed their most successful season in over a decade.[34] On 3 November 2009, he scored twice against Chelsea during a 2–2 draw in the Champions League at the Vicente Calderón. Atlético were knocked out of the competition, but went on to reach the final of the 2009–10 UEFA Europa League, where Agüero assisted both goals in a 2–1 extra time win against English club Fulham.[35] He also helped Atlético reach the final of the Spanish Cup, although this time they were not victorious, losing to Sevilla in the Camp Nou on May 19.[36]
On 27 August 2010, Atlético Madrid captured the UEFA Super Cup by beating favorites Internazionale 2–0. Agüero provided the assist for José Antonio Reyes's opening goal and then secured the win by scoring the second.[37] On 4 January 2011, Atlético Madrid confirmed via their official website that Agüero had signed a new contract with the club, keeping him at the Vicente Calderón until 2014.[38] The following day he was named as the new vice-captain of Atlético, along with strike partner Diego Forlán.[39]
The 2010–11 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 of 2011, he went on a run of seven consecutive goalscoring appearances, a feat that no other player in Europe could match during the season.[40] Agüero's final outing for Atlético came on May 21 against Mallorca, a game in which he reached two milestones. In a 3–4 win, he scored his first career hat-trick, the second goal being his 100th for the Colchoneros.[41] However, failure to celebrate any of the goals lead 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 Madrid and formally asked to be released from his contract.[42][43] Aguero later spoke to ESPN, where he stated that he would "not be returning to Atlético".[44] On the same day that Agüero officially became a Manchester City player, Atletico Madrid hosted a 2011–12 Europa League qualifier against Strømgodset, where a group of Atlético fans brandished "Aguero We Hope You Die" banners, in a reaction to the striker's £38million move to Manchester City, at the Vicente Calderon on 28 July 2011.[45] Upon his departure, Atlético used the €45 million from Agüero's sale to buy Radamel Falcao as his replacement.[46]
Manchester City
2011–12 season
On 28 July 2011, Manchester City confirmed that Agüero had signed a five-year contract with the club.[47] The fee was reported to be in the region of £38 million (€45 million).[6][7][48] He was given the number 16 shirt for his first season at City[47] and wears the shirt name Kun Agüero. He was an unused substitute in the Dublin Super Cup match against Internazionale and the 2011 FA Community Shield against Manchester United with manager Roberto Mancini believing Agüero was not yet fit.[49] Agüero made his debut for Manchester City on 15 August 2011, in a 4–0 Premier League victory over Swansea City. Agüero came on as a substitute in the 59th minute scoring his first goal for the club within 9 minutes after a tap in from a cross from full back Micah 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 of David Silva to score. Agüero rounded off his debut by scoring again in injury time with a 30 yard strike.[50] His 30 minute debut gained rave reviews among football journalists, with some suggesting it was one of the best in English football.[51][52][53] City continued their strong start winning 3–2 away at Bolton Wanderers with Agüero missing two chances in the penalty box.[54] On 28 August, Agüero scored his third league goal in Manchester City's 5–1 rout of Tottenham Hotspur.[55] On his third start for the club, he scored his first hat-trick in English football, against Wigan Athletic.[56] On 18 September, he scored twice at Craven Cottage against Fulham but Manchester City were held to a 2–2 draw.[57] Having been substituted off of the field after just 28 minutes due to an injury during a 4-0 win against Blackburn Rovers on 1 October, Agüero returned to action in a 2011–12 UEFA Champions League group stage fixture, where he came on for Nigel de Jong on 62 minutes and scored a 93rd minute winner in his side's 2–1 victory against Villarreal on 18 October.[58][59] On 23 October Agüero took part in his first Manchester derby, scoring in the 69th minute as he converted a Micah Richards pass across the face of goal. The match incredibly finished 6–1 to City.[60] On 1 November, Agüero was shortlisted for the prestigious FIFA Ballon d'Or. On 19 November, he scored a penalty in a 3–1 win at home to Newcastle United, ending Newcastle's unbeaten start to the season.[61]Agüero made his League Cup debut in the quarter final match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, scoring the only goal of the game in the 83rd minute from an Adam Johnson through ball.[62] His next goal came in a 5–1 home win against Norwich 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.[63] On 21 December, he scored a brace as City beat Stoke 3–0 at home.[64] On 3 January 2012 he opened the scoring in a 3–0 win at home to Liverpool, beating Pepe Reina with a low shot.[65] Agüero scored his 15th goal on 4 February, scoring a penalty against Fulham in a 3–0 win at a snow covered Etihad Stadium. During the first-leg of a Europa League round of 32 match against FC Porto, Agüero entered the field in the 78th minute for Mario Balotelli and scored the match winning goal, and his first Europa League goal for Manchester City, in the 85th minute.[66] The game had ended 2–1, when in the second-leg, Agüero scored within 19 seconds at Etihad Stadium in a 4–0 win on 22 February. Manchester City advanced to the last 16 of the 2011–12 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 Rovers[67][68] During the second-leg of Manchester City's Round of 16 Europa League fixture against Sporting 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 to 3–3 on aggregate. Sporting CP won on away goals, as they defeated Manchester City 1–0 in the first-leg on 8 March.[69] One week later, Agüero scored his 17th league goal in 2–1 win against Chelsea on 21 March.[70] On 29 March, Ageuro was ruled out for up to 10 days to two weeks due to a foot problem, which was later diagnosed as a reaction to a substance that blistered his foot.[71][72][73] On 11 April, Aguero scored two goals for himself and also set up another two goals (for David Silva and Carlos Tévez) in a 4–0 home victory against West Bromwich Albion.[74] On 14 April, Aguero scored a double in a 6–1 away win against Norwich City, his two goals meant that he had surpassed 20 league goals in the English Premier League.[75] On 16 April, it was announced that Aguero had been nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year Award, making the six-man shortlist announced by the Professional Footballers' Association.[76]
International career
Senior team
Agüero made his senior debut for Argentina in a friendly with Brazil, played at Emirates Stadium, England on 3 September 2006.[1] As a teenager, he represented Argentina at three FIFA World Youth Championships. Together with future 2008 Olympics squad teammates Fernando Gago of Real Madrid and Lionel Messi of Barcelona, they won the 2005 edition in the Netherlands.2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup
At the 2007 U-20 World Cup in Canada, he scored twice and helped set up three goals in a 6–0 win over Panama in the second game of the group stage of the tournament. Agüero then scored the only goal in Argentina's third match against North Korea from a free kick. Having qualified to the round of 16, he scored two of the three goals against Poland that would eventually give them a 3–1 win to advance to the next round. Argentina defeated Mexico in the quarter-finals and Chile in the semi-finals, and faced the Czech Republic in the finals, a team they drew 0–0 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.2008 Summer Olympics
As a member of the Argentine squad for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Agüero scored two goals in the space of five minutes in the semi-final 3–0 win over Brazil on 19 August 2008.[77] Argentina went on to win the gold medal, a second in a row at the Olympic tournament.2010 FIFA World Cup
He was chosen for the 2010 World Cup squad, and made his World Cup debut in Argentina's second group match against Korea Republic on 12 June 2010, replacing Carlos Tévez in the 75th minute. Agüero's impact was immediate as Argentina scored in the next minute. He assisted on Gonzalo Higuaín's hat-trick goal late in the game. Argentina won the game 4–1. However Argentina subsequently lost to Germany in the quarter finals.2011 Copa América
Agüero was named in the 23-man squad for the 2011 Copa América where Argentina had been drawn into Group A with Bolivia, Colombia and Costa Rica. On 1 July in Argentina's opening group stage match against Bolivia he was substituted on to the field for Ezequiel Lavezzi on 71 minutes and scored an equaliser on 76 minutes to secure a 1–1 draw.[78][79][80][81] On 6 July he was substituted onto the field for Ezequiel Lavezzi on 64 minutes as Argentina drew 0-0 with Colombia in their second group stage fixture.[82] 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 of their group.[83]Style of play
Agüero is a striker and is regarded as an all out centre forward,[84] but can also play as a second striker off another striker, which he often did at Atlético Madrid with Diego Forlán.[85]Agüero is a diminutive figure with a stocky build, which has led to comparisons with fellow Manchester City striker, Carlos Tévez[86] and past strikers such as Romário and Maradona. Some pundits go as far to say Agüero is Tévez's heir apparent at City[87] and is superior to Tévez.[88] His manager at Manchester City, Roberto Mancini has compared Agüero to former Brazilian striker, Romário.[89]
Agüero is characterised by agility, acceleration and strength, being described as "sharp and clever" by former Argentine player Osvaldo Ardiles.[90] A view which is shared by his international captain Lionel Messi, who believes Agüero possesses "immense power, strength and an incredible work ethic."[91] Combined with his close control and strength to keep the ball, he is described as a menace in the box.[85]
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