If someone asked you to make a list of the best strikers in the last decade, Sergio Aguero would probably be on it. The Argentine striker created a lasting legacy in the Premier League with Manchester City and is considered by many to be one of the best strikers in recent soccer history.
However, he was forced to cut his career short due to a heart condition plaguing him. Aguero had just joined Barcelona then and was only there for a few months before retiring from the sport. And now he has revealed a very important detail during his time there.
Sergio Aguero explains decision to reject Messi’s No. 10 shirt
Sergio Aguero had called an end to his Manchester City career in 2021, deciding to leave them after a decade of goals and trophies. He decided to join Spanish giants Barcelona, partly due to the fact that his Argentina national teammate Lionel Messi was there. The two are very good friends and have been with each other since a long time ago, winning the Copa America together in 2021 as well.
Unfortunately for both Aguero and Barcelona, Lionel Messi had to leave the club due to financial restrictions. This meant that an icon of the club had left, and his iconic No. 10 jersey was left vacant. There were no other players deserving of the shirt, and Aguero revealed that Barcelona wanted to give him the jersey number. The striker had also worn it throughout his Manchester City career and as a great friend of Messi, it seemed fitting to give it to him.
But Aguero refused to take the No. 10 shirt and instead took the No.19, while teenage sensation Ansu Fati took the iconic number. In an interview with Clank Sport, he confirmed why he did so.
He said that he believed Messi would eventually come back, “When Leo left Barcelona, they offered me the number 10 shirt and I said no. Not because I didn’t want it. I thought he was going to come back.”
“They told me that I was the only one that could use it but for me, the number 10 belongs to Leo. Lastly, if he is not there, don’t use it.” Unfortunately, Messi refused a return to Barcelona and instead left Europe for Inter Miami. But it still shows the immense respect Aguero has for his friend and teammate.
Sergio Aguero’s stats while playing in Barcelona
Sergio Aguero joined Barcelona on a free transfer and was a breath of fresh air after the previous departure of Luis Suarez. He made his debut for them as a substitute on October 17th against Valencia. He would score his first and only goal in a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid, scoring in the last minute.
In the next match against Alaves, he had to be taken off the pitch due to chest discomfort. It was later revealed that he had a heart condition, and upon the advice of doctors, he decided to retire from the sport immediately. In an emotional press conference organized by his club, he announced it to the world. Thus, he only played four games for his new club, with one goal to show for.
Nowadays, Sergio Aguero is still involved with the sport. He was with the Argentine squad throughout their 2022 World Cup win, and even celebrated wildly with them. He also played in the Kings League tournament organized by former teammate Gerard Pique.
Nowadays, he has an eSports team named KRU Esports Team, where he has Lionel Messi as a co-owner with him. While he has retired from the sport, Sergio Aguero is still very much involved with it.
