The complete footballing history of Manchester City star Sergio Aguero
Born, June 2nd 1988
Joined Independiente, 1997
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, July 5th 2003
Became the youngest player to compete in Copa Libertadores, February 2004
Scored his first goal for Independiente in a 2-2 draw against Estudiantes, November 26th 2004
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Bayern Munich chairman, March 28th 2005
17-year-old Aguero was linked with a £10m move to the German club. “We must move before the Spanish and Italian clubs join the race, otherwise he will be more expensive. He certainly won’t be a bargain but with a young player of such quality you have to be prepared to take a risk.”
Aguero, March 30th 2005
“If I had to choose a league then it would be the Premier League. I have been a Liverpool fan for as long as I can remember and it would be a dream to play there. I watched the Champions League final and celebrated every goal as if it was for Independiente.”
Signed for Atletico Madrid for a club record of €23m, May 30th 2006
‘Hand of God’, October 14th 2006
Aguero scored his 2nd goal for Atletico using his hand, which turned out to be the winning goal in a 2-1 win.
FIFA Under-20 World Cup, summer 2007
Aguero was the captain for the final against Czech Republic and scored in their 2-1 win. He won the Golden Boot of the tournament, scoring six goals in seven games, and the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament.
Aguero, December 28th 2007
Aguero’s get-out clause was increased from £25m to £40m. “Atletico is a very big club and I feel at home. I want to stay here for many years and help (the team) achieve something important.”
Aguero banned, February 20th 2008
Aguero was sent off in Atletico Madrid’s UEFA Cup game for spitting at Bolton’s Matt Taylor. UEFA banned him for two games as a result.
Aguero, April 17th 2008
“At the moment my head only imagines me being in this club for many years. It is imaginable that I could triumph in any big English club, but at the moment money is not the priority in my life.”
Third highest scorer in La Liga with 19 goals and qualification for the Champions League for the first time time since the 1996/1997 season, May 2008
Named the 2nd best player in La Liga in the Trofeo Alfredo Di Stéfano, May 20th 2008
Jose Segui, agent, July 13th 2008
“I’ve had interest from a leading English team and they’ve asked me to approach Atletico with a bid. I can’t say more until I’ve spoken to the club about the offer. All I can tell you is that it’s one of the best teams in Europe and it’s not Chelsea.”
Beijing Olympics semi-final, August 20th 2008
Scored two goals in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Brazil.
Beijing Olympics final, August 23rd 2008
Won a gold medal after Argentina beat Nigeria.
First Champions League goal, September 16th 2008
Aguero scored in Atletico’s 3-0 win over PSV.
Enrique Cerezo, Atletico president, September 27th 2008
“I don’t know what the people from Chelsea or Manchester City were doing in Getafe. I don’t know. The truth is they told me they were looking for Cristiano Ronaldo, but I don’t know if they found him. What should I know? City haven’t even asked about ‘El Kun’ so how do I know what they want? What I do know and what I can guarantee is that Kun Aguero wants to be in Madrid, he wants to play for Atletico Madrid and he wants to live here in Madrid. We’re used to stories of this nature and I suppose they won’t stop here today, they’ll keep coming out. But here we have the sun, good weather, a great team, phenomenal supporters and a marvellous coach.”
Rafael Benitez, Liverpool manager, October 20th 2008
“Two years ago the agents were talking with us about players and he was one of those but he was too young. Atletico paid big money for him, around 18million euros [about £14million] for a player who was a risk. In the Premier League it’s different and sometimes players will need more time here to improve. We had a lot of confidence in him, we knew that he’s a good player but he needed to play games. We had Crouch, we were bringing in Torres, it was a question of space.”
Aguero, January 2nd 2009
“The club reached an agreement with the company that manages me to extend my contract until 2012. I know they will work together on the exploitation of my image rights, there’s a good understanding between the parties. All the signs are that I will stay here for a long time, and I’m really happy about that. I’m enjoying it here and I never want to leave, because Atletico was the first club to welcome me in Europe.”
Beating Barcelona, March 1st 2009
Aguero scored two goals against Barcelona, including one in injury time, in their 4-3 victory over the league leaders.
Miguel Angel Gil Marin, Atletico general manager, October 26th 2009
“Chelsea wanted Aguero and offered €45m plus €5m in bonuses.”
Aguero, November 5th 2009
“I know that people were saying they (Chelsea) wanted me during the summer and that there were several teams tracking me but nothing ever came to me and I am happy at Atletico. It’s nice that people say I could play in a team like Chelsea, one of the best in the world. I like it (Chelsea’s interest) and it makes me happy but I am the same person as ever and I think the same as before. I don’t really want to think about any other team. I want to fight with Atletico to the death. I almost feel like I was born here. It’s a club that has given me a lot, pleasure as well as pain, but it’s a place I feel very happy.”
Drawing with Chelsea, November 3rd 2009
Aguero scored twice in Atletico’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea.
Aguero, December 18th 2009
“Chelsea are interested in me because they think I can play an important role for the team. And I think I fit with their style of play. Of course I watch the Premier League on TV and I think it is the best league in the world, along with the Spanish league.”
Aguero, April 20th 2010
“Chelsea are a great club. They have become one of the most feared in Europe over recent years. I look at players like Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard and they have been, and still are, the best players in their positions in the world. I could really learn from players like that, there is no doubt. London would be a really amazing city to live in as well, myself and my wife could be really happy there. Carlos Tevez is doing really well at Manchester City but, for me, it is about joining a club who are ready to challenge for honours. City are not ready yet.”
Aguero, May 11th 2010
“If we analyse the history and the statistics in Europe, Atletico are superior to Fulham. This is no guarantee in the final, I respect Fulham because they have defeated Juventus, Wolfsburg and Hamburg. They will fight for the ball, but they are not Chelsea, Manchester United or Arsenal.”
Europa League final, May 12th 2010
Aguero assisted both goals in Atletico’s 2-1 win over Fulham.
Aguero, July 11th 2010
“Of course Chelsea is of interest as they are one of the most powerful teams in European football. They show their intent summer after summer in the transfer market and more often than not that intent will see them end the season with at least one trophy. To be the strike partner of Didier Drogba is a thing many players would love to be. But it’s not just Drogba – it’s Lampard, Terry, Anelka, Essien, and maybe even Fernando Torres. They have quality players everywhere.”
UEFA Super Cup final, August 27th 2010
Aguero assisted one and scored the other in Atletico’s 2-0 win over European champions, Inter Milan.
Aguero was awarded Spanish nationality, December 3rd 2010
Aguero signed a contract extension which should keep him at the club until 2014, January 4th 2011
“This is not merely putting a signature on a contract. It’s also about renewing a commitment to the club at which I arrived when I was only 18 years old and I have been with for almost five years.”
Named Atletico vice-captain, January 5th 2011
Tottenham Hotspur had a bid of £38.5m rejected, January 30th 2011
Hattrick, May 21st 2011
Aguero scored his first hattrick for Atletico in his final game for the club against Mallorca, which also saw him score his 100th goal for them. However, he didn’t celebrate any of the goals, leading to speculation he was going to leave the club.
Handed in a transfer request, May 23rd 2011
Aguero does not turn up for Atletico training amid transfer rumours, July 24th 2011
Aguero signed for Manchester City, July 28th 2011
“Now I am a City player. Happy to be at this club and in this city, thank you to everyone for the welcome and the reception.”
In Atletico’s Europa League qualifier against Strømsgodset IF that day, a group of Atlético fans brandished “Agüero, We Hope You Die” banners.
Diego Forlan, July 30th 2011
“It was no real surprise to see him leave, but I thought it would have been to a different club. Chelsea’s game and squad are more suited to his style. And of course I am a Manchester United fan, so his decision to move to City is also painful for me. I know City are now one of the big clubs in England, so I wish Sergio luck. But I know from my own time in England that the Premier League is not like La Liga. The key for him will be how he adapts to the style of the game and also the country. He can be a success because he is a star. He can be a king at any club.”
Aguero made his City début against Swansea and scored two goals, August 15th 2011
“I am happy. The start was really good and I want to keep like this. It was nice. I had a chance to play a little bit and I enjoyed it. I helped the team and I want to keep doing the same in the future.”
Aguero, September 24th 2011
“I watched the Premier League on television. I prefer it to La Liga and Serie A. I loved Michael Owen. I always followed him at Liverpool. That’s why I started watching the Premier League. Obviously the style of play here is different to Spanish football but I will adapt as quickly as possible and try to be fully focused during training sessions.”
Aguero is named in the shortlist for the Ballon d’Or, November 1st 2011
Aguero, November 22nd 2011
“In the past he told me everything about Napoli, and I have also seen on TV what he did, how important he was for the fans. This is a matter of pride for me because I am Argentinian. It is my dream, doing what Maradona did for Napoli, doing the same for Manchester City. But I don’t want to talk about myself, it is important Manchester City do well as a team.”
Aguero, March 29th 2012
“Why wait until next season if we can win it now? I can promise you that we’ll be fighting until the very end. We all want to make it and though it won’t be easy, we believe we can win the Premier League this season.”
Diego Maradona, April 4th 2012
“Kun has to play for Real Madrid. Even though he is flying at City, the best thing would have been to sign for Madrid. He made a mistake. Now, as he is doing so well, it will be difficult to get him from City. However, if Madrid want someone, they get them.”
Aguero shortlisted for PFA Player and Young Player of the Year awards, April 16th 2012
Aguero scored an injury time goal to win the Premier League title, May 13th 2012
“For sure it was the most important goal of my career. You score a goal in the last minute to win the title. I’m not sure that is ever going to happen again. QPR were fighting for their lives. They sat back and we knew they would make things difficult for us on the counter-attack. During the (pitch) invasion, loads of fans came over. They grabbed me and kissed me. But the only thing I understood was, ‘I love you’. That made me so happy. Since I arrived at City, everyone has treated me really well. I repaid them with a goal to win the title and make history. I’ll keep doing my best every day to win more titles. All I do is play football so the fans can enjoy themselves.”
Aguero, October 1st 2012
“I try not to get involved with problems involving referees. There will always be mistakes for any team and he got the decision [on the Fulham penalty] wrong, but that can happen in any game. All we can do is not let that get to us and just keep on playing our game. There is a little bit of privilege with players who come from that country, but that is normal. We just play our game, and the referee’s job is to know who is tricking him and who is not.”