As Argentina secured their third World Cup title on Sunday and the eyes of the world were fixed on Lionel Messi getting the moment in his career that he longed for, people couldn’t help but notice former Argentine striker Sergio Aguero getting involved in the celebrations.
The ex-Manchester City star was forced to hang up his boots a year ago due to a diagnosed heart problem not long after he transferred to Barcelona.
Everyone remembers Kun's emotional press conference when he had to announce that he was retiring from the beautiful game at the age of 33. His eyes were filled with tears and his former City boss Pep Guardiola flew out to Barcelona to be there in support of the Argentine.
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The final years of his career were cruelly taken away from him and had he not been dealt such a cruel blow, he would’ve been playing alongside Messi, one of his oldest friends, in Qatar. He was involved in La Albiceleste’s qualifying campaign and has been a key figure in this journey that goes back further than just a few weeks.
When Argentina registered him as an assistant coach to involve him in this World Cup finals campaign, it highlighted the best side of football. In making that gesture, Aguero was able to receive a winners' medal which was a nice touch and a great way for him to officially sign off his career.
He bunked with his old pal Messi the night before the final. Messi had been bunking alone on international duty after Aguero retired, with Kun describing Messi as “like a brother.” Aguero offered his compatriots support via video calls before being involved in La Albiceleste’s final training session ahead of the final. In true Aguero fashion he unleashed a rocket but is also believed to have saved a penalty - perhaps he inspired Emiliano Martinez’s heroics in the shoot-out against France?
Aguero may have been retired for over a year now but he is still considered part of the squad by his former teammates. They know how important he was for them when he pulled on the famous blue and white jersey and his 41 goals on the international stage reflects just how important a role he played.
Some have chosen to poke fun at City’s all-time leading goalscorer for his involvement in the team’s celebrations on Sunday but when you delve deeper into why he was included, it is a poetic ending to his and Messi’s Argentina journey. They both met while on a training camp at youth level and they have been a huge part of each other’s lives for the past 17 years while aiding their homeland to this latest moment of triumph.
The photo of Messi recreating the Maradona trophy lift has the superstar held aloft on the shoulders of Aguero and it will go down as one of the sport’s most iconic images. Aguero may not have played a single minute in Qatar but apart from his family, there is likely no other person that Messi would have wanted to share that fairytale moment inside the Lusail Stadium with.
