Kun Agüero has announced his retirement from football due to some heart issues that prevent him from competing at the top level. At the age of 33, the Argentinian striker is forced to abandon the elite early after suffering cardiac problems during the game against Alavés on October 30th. We review the best moments from his career:
Youngest player to make his debut in the Argentinian league:
Kun made his debut with Independiente on July 5th 2003 against San Lorenzo being only 15 years, one month and 3 days old, which made him the youngest player to debut in the Argentinian first division, overcoming Diego Armando Maradona. His explosion in the 2005/2006 season, where he scored 18 goals, allowed him to move to Europe.
Atlético de Madrid and the conquer of Europe:
Agüero signed for Atlético de Madrid on May 30th 2006 in exchange for 23 million euros, the most expensive sign in the history of the ‘Rojiblancos’. He became the main striker for the team right away and formed a dreamed duo along with Diego Forlán.
Kun took Atlético back to the Champions League for the 2008/2009 season after 12 years without participating in the biggest competition of Europe and then conquered the Europa League in the Hamburg 2010 Final against Fulham.
Three months later, Atlético beat Mourinho’s Inter in Mónaco 0-2 with a goal by Agüero to win the European Super Cup and close a perfect year.
Agüero was one of the best players in Europe and the biggest clubs started to show interest on him, specially Real Madrid. Surprisingly, the striker extended his contract with Atlético in January 2011, but Manchester City paid his release clause in summer to complete one of the best additions in the last decade for the ‘Citizens’ and ending his time as a ‘Rojiblanco’.
Agüero returned the illusion to the Vicente Calderón after some years of drought. Atlético were his trampoline to better teams in that moment and the Argentinian striker led the ‘Rojiblancos’ back to the European stage from where Cholo Simeone’s feats then came. A reciprocal benefit that must be remembered.
Manchester City, the birth of a winning project:
Kun and Manchester City experienced a 2011/2012 unforgettable season, as they lifted the Premier League title 44 years later and was the start of a golden era for the ‘Sky Blues’. How can we forget Agüero’s goal in the last minute of the final match to beat QPR 3-2 that handled the title to the team coached by Roberto Mancini.
Kun Agüero lifted a total of five Premier Leagues, three Community Shields, six League Cups and an FA Cup in his ten years as a ‘Citizen’ where he scored 260 goals and became the top scorer in the club’s history.
An everlasting legacy in the build of a big club whose only lack is the Champions League, a title that he has not been able to win after losing the 2021 final in his last game with Manchester City.
Argentinian National Team:
Agüero has won two U-20 World Cups (Netherlands 2005 and Canada 2007) and the golden medal in the Beijing Olympics 2008.
He has played three World Cups with the first team (SouthAfrica 2010, Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018) ended second in Brazil 2014 and four Copas de América (Argentina 2011, Chile 2015, Estados Unidos 2016 and Brasil 2019 and 2021). He conquered his first title last summer ending the cruise of an entire generation led by Messi.
Bye to a legend:
“My legacy? I rather have the people say what I deserve”
Kun Agüero on his retirement act
Kun Agüero has been a mythical striker. His early retirement puts an end to the career of a player who has been a main character on the arise of two European clubs. It is a pity that he has been unable to play along his best friend, Leo Messi, at FC Barcelona, but his trajectory in the elite has been outstanding. Thank you, Kun.
Main image: Edit by José Manuel Calviño.