Former Argentina and Manchester City star
Sergio Aguero has brought the curtain on speculations about his retirement on
Wednesday. The 33-year-old striker, in an emotional press conference, announced
that he would hang his boots after he was diagnosed with cardiac
arrhythmia. Aguero experienced chest pains on the pitch in his first game for
Barcelona. Since arriving at Camp Nou in July, he played just four games and
scored one.

Also Read: Barcelona striker Sergio Aguero announces retirement due to heart condition

Despite the shocking move to Barcelona,
Aguero will always be known as one of the best strikers in Premier League
history. Since arriving at Etihad Stadium in 2011 from Atletico Madrid, Aguero
was City’s main striker. He scored 184 goals for the Premier League club and
finished his career as the fourth-highest goal scorer on the all-time list. The
only trophy to ever elude Sergio Aguero’s glistening cabinet was the Champions
League.

Also Read: Barcelona rule out Sergio Aguero for at least 3 months after heart tests

Though he took retirement at Barcelona, the
Argentina World Cupper will always be close to the hearts of the Blues fans.
The term legend is often passed around in modern football, but there isn’t a
term more apt to describe Aguero’s time in Manchester.

Here are five reasons why Aguero will be
remembered as a Manchester City legend.

Star on start

Aguero’s debut in the Premier League could not
have been better. With Roberto Mancini at the helm, a 22-year-old Aguero rushed
to the pitch and less than ten minutes after replacing Nigel de Jong, Aguero
arrived at the back post to turn in a Micah Richards cross. Three minutes
later, he was bearing down on goal again; a cute flick over Micheal Vorm
followed by a volley over his shoulder found the feet of an onrushing Silva –
who could only turn it home. His third goal contribution was the pick of the
bunch; with 90 minutes played Aguero, drifted back into the midfield – picked
up the ball from Toure – and shot. For the third time in the evening, Aguero
had the crowd on their feet: this time, however, it was before the ball had
even hit the back of the net.

Also Read: Laliga: Barca striker Aguero forced off with apparent breathing issues

Record Breaker

Aguero spent 10 years, the prime of his
career, with Manchester City. In this time, he scored a record 184 Premier
League, the highest by an overseas footballer. In doing so, Aguero has also
become the all-time record goalscorer for Manchester City.

In early 2020, during a game against Aston
Villa Aguero overtook Arsenal legend and French star Thierry Henry’s tally of
175 goals and became the highest scorer (among foreign players) in Premier
League history. He achieved the record in style. His first of the game, which
levelled Henry’s tally, was a lovely strike from the edge of the box, which
nestled into the top corner. His second was more typical, Kevin De Bruyne, as
he so often does, picked an inch-perfect pass drawing out two Villa defenders
leaving Aguero with the simple task of cutting inside, taking out one more, and
slotting it home. That was the goal that cemented Aguero in the Premier League
history books; no foreigner has scored more.

His third was the easiest of the lot;
finding himself one-on-one with the keeper, all Aguero had to drill it near
post. Breaking another record – that of most hat-tricks – in the process.

Also Read: Sergio Aguero wants to leave Barcelona after Messi exit: Report

Goal poacher

In late 2017, Manchester City arriving in
Naples to face Napoli was a mouthwatering fixture. Manchester City were
embarking on their centurion season, and they were looking unstoppable. With
the tie on a knife-edge at 2-2, Aguero struck. In his 264th appearance for the
club, he scored goal number 178; in doing so, consigning Erik Brook’s
78-year-stint as City’s all-time top-scorer to history. It was the knockout
blow for Napoli; as the San Paulo went quiet for the first time in the evening,
they sensed that, perhaps, the task was too far gone from here.

In just six years since he put pen to paper
in Eastlands, Aguero was the greatest goalscorer – ever – in sky blue. Aguero
scored 184 Premier League goals for Manchester City.

When a legend was born

Manchester City, who hadn’t won a top
division for 44 years, looked set to claim their first Premier League triumph;
all they had to do was win. Sounds easy enough, especially when they were
facing Queens Park Rangers, who were having a torrid campaign. And yet, they
found themselves 2-1 down when the 90 minutes were up. Eden Dzeko brought City
back in the game making it 2-2.

Also Read: Sergio Aguero, Man City legend making new beginnings at Barcelona

Then, with less than a minute to go, one
less ball was launched forward. Mario Balotelli took the ball down and looked
in the direction of Aguero; in almost slow-motion, Aguero rode one challenge
and let fly.

That was the moment where the legend of
Sergio Aguero was born when the ball hit the back of the net and Etihad
exploded as Manchester City won a thrilling contest.

Champions League hat-trick vs Bayern Munich

A defeat against Bayern Munich would end
all hopes for Manchester City in the Champions League during the 2014-2015
season. The two sides were up against each other in the competition. And Aguero
bagged the lead from the spot after being brought down inside the box by Mehdi
Benatia in the 20th minute.

Also Read: Footballer Sergio Aguero signs deal with Barcelona until 2023

But Bayern appeared to have regained their
momentum with two goals before the close of the first half. The Bavarians
continued to maintain their dominance until the 85th minute. Xabi Alonso’s
backpass towards Manuel Neuer was well intercepted by the Argentine striker to
make it 2-2, followed by a lethal finish in the injury time to win the tie for
Manchester City.

Thus, during his departure, when Aguero says “I will leave with my head held high. I don’t know what awaits me in the next part of my life. But I know I have people who love me. I will always remember the amazing things”, the football world knows the truth in the legend’s words, and how much the sport will miss him.