Sergio Aguero's importance in Manchester City's recent era of Premier League dominance cannot be understated. The iconic Argentinian striker led the line for the Cityzens, firing them to five titles with 184 goals in 275 games.
It's a shame Aguero was forced to call time on his career due to a heart problem in August 2022 because he missed out on playing with Argentina at the FIFA World Cup later that year. He was in attendance in Qatar to watch Lionel Messi captain La Abiceleste to glory, celebrating with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner as he lifted the trophy.
The 36-year-old was a close ally of Messi, and, unsurprisingly, he's in the Barcelona legend's corner in his never-ending 'GOAT' debate with Cristiano Ronaldo. But he also doesn't rate the Real Madrid icon above three other footballing greats he named in a Q&A with UEFA in 2015.
Lionel Messi
Career span: 2004 - Present
Aguero and Messi's friendship is well-documented, as the pair grew close together when representing Argentina on international duty. The former City frontman has spent most of his career waxing lyrical about the two-time Copa America winner, who he thinks is football's all-time greatest player.
It's unsurprising, given Messi has been a record-breaking machine who makes football look easy every time he's on the ball. His dribbling abilities, clinical finishing and magical wand of a left foot have lit up club and international football year after year. His compatriot said that for him, 'Messi is the best in history'.
Lionel Messi Club and Country Stats and Career
Team:
Appearances:
Goals:
Assists:
Trophies Won:
Ronaldo Nazario
Career Span: 1993–2011
While Aguero thinks Messi is the best player to lace up a pair of boots, he holds Ronaldo Nazario in high regard. He highlighted the influence the two-time Ballon d'Or winner had on his game:
"The player I looked at in terms of my own play and who influenced me most is the Brazilian Ronaldo."
Ronaldo was a proper number nine whose speed left defenders chasing shadows while he knew where the back of the net was. The Brazilian hero fired Selecao to World Cup glory in 2002, finishing with the Golden Boot with eight goals. There perhaps hasn't been a deadlier striker in the 21st century, but he also inspired the potent goalscorers ripping it up nowadays.
|Ronaldo Nazario Club and Country Stats and Career|
|Team:|Brazil|Real Madrid|Inter Milan|PSV|Barcelona|
|Appearances:|99|177|99|57|49|
|Goals:|62|104|59|54|47|
|Assists:|32|34|10|7|13|
|Trophies Won:|World Cup 2x, Copa America 2x|La Liga 2x, Supercopa de Espana|UEFA Cup|Dutch Cup|UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de Espana|
|---|
Ronaldinho
Career Span: 1998 - 2015
Ronaldo Nazario found the back of the net easily, and he was doing so in a Brazil team brimming with talent across the board. Ronaldinho was arguably the most entertaining, dazzling his supporters with 'Joga Bonito', proving to be one of the most extraordinary talents to emerge from South American waters.
Ronaldinho won the Ballon d'Or once and won plenty of major team trophies with the Brazilian national team, Barcelona, and AC Milan. He was a joy to watch, particularly in the UEFA Champions League, with his dancing goal against Chelsea in 2005 among the best goals you'll see in European competition.
|Ronaldinho Club and Country Stats and Career|
|Team:|Brazil|Barcelona|AC Milan|PSG|Athletic Mineiro|
|Appearances:|97|207|95|77|85|
|Goals:|33|94|26|25|28|
|Assists:|29|69|29|19|30|
|Trophies Won:|World Cup 2x, Copa America 2x|UCL, La Liga 2x, Supercopa de Espana 2x|Serie A|N/A|Copa Libertadores, Recopa Sudamericana|
|---|
Diego Maradona
Career Span: 1976–1997
When discussing Argentinian football, one must mention Diego Maradona, a once-in-a-lifetime attacking gem. A creative genius who could cut a defence open at any given moment, many compare him to Messi because of their legacies as Argentina's footballing gods.
Aguero doesn't think the iconic pair should be compared (via Stake.com):
"I never liked those comparisons. And it's not about who is more of a symbol. Each one occupies a very important place in the hearts of Argentines. I like more to think about how lucky we Argentines are to have Diego and Leo, each in his time, the best players in history."
Maradona won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986, and he scored the 'Goal of the Century' with a remarkable run against England in the quarter-finals. There wasn't much 'El Pibe de Oro' couldn't do, and he'll forever be celebrated as a cornerstone of football. He went on to manage Aguero as his national team coach and was also his ex-father-in-law.
|Diego Maradona Club and Country Stats and Career|
|Team:|Argentina|Napoli|Barcelona|Sevilla|Boca Juniors|
|Appearances:|84|257|58|28|3|
|Goals:|32|115|38|6|0|
|Assists:|27|76|23|8|0|
|Trophies Won:|World Cup|Serie A 2x, UEFA Cup, Italian Cup, Italian Super Cup|Copa del Rey, Supercopa de Espana, Spanish League Cup|N/A|Argentinian Title|
|---|
All statistics courtesy ofTransfermarkt- correct as of 02/04/2025.
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