A central dominant player in the growth of the Abu Dhabi-owned club who are now a major force in Europe, Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero has had to struggle with injuries amid the Covid pandemic over the past year and was restricted to only 14 appearances in all competitions this season for the Sky Blues.
The 32-year-old has been legendary in his goal-scoring exploits during his tenure with Guardiola’s City squad, with arguably his most famous goal being his stoppage-time winner against Queens Parks Rangers on the final day of the 2011-12 season that clinched the Sky Blues their first league title in 44 years.
Then also there’s the penalty he converted against Fulham on March 14, which rounded off his 181st goal in the Premier League but his first in the division since January 2020.
Impressively, the Spaniard is second only behind Alan Shearer (260), Wayne Rooney (208) and Andy Cole (187) on the all-time scoring list in the Premier League.
Fittingly, in his Twitter post on Tuesday (AEDT) to his 14 million followers, Aguero expressed he feels a “huge sense of satisfaction and pride” having featured for City for a decade and contributing to them earning “a place among the greatest in the world”.
Aguero has won four Premier League titles – with a fifth looking likely in his final season as City are currently 14 points clear with 10 matches to play. That aside, he could also still add to his tally of one FA Cup and five League Cups before his departure, not forgetting that City are also in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
In the time span of a decade since arriving from Atletico Madrid, Aguero’s goal-scoring prowess and skills have amassed 257 goals in 384 appearances, making him the highest-scoring overseas player in Premier League history.
“Sergio’s contribution to Manchester City over the last 10 years cannot be overstated,” club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said.
“His legend will be indelibly etched into the memories of everyone who loves the club and maybe even in those who simply love football.”
Al Mubarak was also proud to announce that a statue of Aguero has been commissioned to stand alongside those being made to honour the player’s former teammates, David Silva and Vincent Kompany.
Aguero, hailing from Atletico Madrid in 2011 when he joined the Sky Blues, scored at least 28 goals in all competitions in six straight seasons for City and has a Premier League-high 12 hat-tricks.
He said he forged “an indestructible bond with all those who love this club – people who will always be in my heart”.
“I will continue to give it my utmost for the rest of the season to win more titles and bring more joy to the fans,” Aguero said in his Twitter post.
“Then, a new stage with new challenges will begin.”
Aguero has previously revealed his sentiments about returning to Argentina to finish his career with his former club Independiente. But this may not materialise as we all know Barcelona has some plans quietly brewing to lure the legendary striker to Camp Nou to team up with his old buddy Lionel Messi.