The legendary Manchester City marksman is scheduled to play in his third World Cup this year with the hopes that finally an opportunity to shine as he has done in the Premier League and La Liga will present itself.
Since emerging at Independiente as a 14-year-old and then heading to Europe, Agüero was appointed Lionel Messi’s designated driver, the Robin to his Batman, as the two won the World Youth Championship together in 2005. Now though, Russia 2018 remains the most pressing issue for the ageing duo as we take a look at how “Kun” comes into the tournament off the back of previous showings on this stage.
South Africa 2010
After being overlooked by José Pekerman for Germany 2006 when just 18 years of age, Agüero’s first nod to contest the tournament came at the behest of Diego Maradona, who was then his father-in-law due to a now defunct relationship with El Pibe’s daughter Giannina, who had given birth to son Benjamin the year before. With Messi, Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain already defined as the Albiceleste’s offensive trident, Agüero had to settle for starting just one match against Greece in the group phases when his country had already qualified for the knockout phases, while additional playing minutes were also racked up against South Korea. When Maradona’s men were already 3-0 down to Joachim Low’s side, a run off the bench against Germany in the quarter finals was Agüero’s last contribution to South Africa 2010.
Brazil 2014
Under the command of Alejandro Sabella, this was meant to be Kun’s revenge as part of a “Fantastic Four” also consisting of Messi, Higuain and Angel Di Maria. In the first half of the group game against Nigeria however, a muscle injury ruled Agüero out until the semifinal against Netherlands. During that excruciatingly tense and historic tie at the Arena Corinthians, he came on for “El Pipita” Higuain around the 82nd minute and converted a vital penalty in the shootout that allowed Argentina to progress to the final. Sabella rightly didn’t deem Agüero fit enough to start that fixture either, though, bringing him on for Ezequiel Lavezzi just after half time to little impact as physical problems were still blatantly evident.
So there you have it. Featuring in eight matches at World Cups and amassing over 419 minutes of play, mostly from the bench or with niggles, Agüero has struggled to clock a single goal in international football’s foremost competition. Recovering from a knee injury this time round, Kun will hope to open his account in Russia at the first possible chance and lead the remnants of his country’s golden generation to victory in what could be their last chance to taste silverware for the national team.
