It is impossible to overstate Sergio Aguero’s significance in Manchester City’s recent period of Premier League supremacy. With 184 goals in 275 appearances, the legendary Argentine striker helped the Cityzens win five crowns.
It’s unfortunate that Aguero missed playing for Argentina at the FIFA World Cup later that year after having to end his career due to a heart issue in August 2022. He was present in Qatar to witness the triumph of Lionel Messi’s captain La Abiceleste, joining the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner in rejoicing as he raised the trophy.
In his never-ending ‘GOAT’ argument with Cristiano Ronaldo, the 36-year-old, who was a close ally of Messi, is in the Barcelona legend’s defence. However, in a 2015 Q&A with UEFA, he mentioned three other footballing greats and did not rank the Real Madrid icon higher than them.
Career span of Lionel Messi: 2004–present
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Messi and Aguero became close while playing for Argentina internationally, and their bond is well-documented. For the most of his career, the former City frontman has waxed poetic about the two-time Copa America champion, whom he believes to be the greatest football player of all time.
Given that Messi has been a record-breaking machine who makes football appear easy whenever he’s on the ball, it’s hardly unexpected. Year after year, his dribbling prowess, precision finishing, and magical left foot have enchanted club and international football. “Messi is the best in history,” according to his countryman.
Lionel Messi’s Club and Country Statistics and Career Team: Argentina Barcelona Paris Saint-Germain Inter Miami Goals: 112 672 4x FIFA Club World Cup 3x La Liga 10x UEFA Super Cup 3x Copa del Rey 7x Supercopa de Espana 8x Ligue 1 2x French Super Cup Supporters’ Shield League Cup Ronaldo Nazario Career Span: 1993–2011
Aguero admires Ronaldo Nazario, but he believes Messi is the best player to put on a pair of boots. He emphasised how the two-time Ballon d’Or winner impacted his play:
“The player I looked at in terms of my own play and who influenced me most is the Brazilian Ronaldo.”
Ronaldo knew where the back of the net was, and his speed left opponents chasing shadows. He was a true number nine. With eight goals and the Golden Boot, the Brazilian hero led Selecao to World Cup success in 2002. Perhaps no striker in the twenty-first century has been more lethal, but he also served as an inspiration to the powerful goal scorers who are dominating the game today.
Ronaldo Nazario’s career and club statistics
Group:
Brazil
Real Madrid
Milan Inter
PSV
Barcelona
Looks:
99
177
99
57
49
Objectives:
62
104
59
54
47
Helps:
32
34
10.
7.
13.
Trophies Acquired:
Two World Cups and two Copa Americas
La Liga 2x, Espana Supercopa
The UEFA Cup
The Dutch Cup
Copa del Rey, Supercopa de Espana, and UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup
Ronaldinho’s career lasted from 1998 to 2015.
Ronaldo Nazario scored goals with ease, and he was doing it in a Brazil team that was full of talented players. Ronaldinho, one of the most remarkable talents to come out of South American waters, dazzled his fans with “Joga Bonito” and was undoubtedly the most entertaining.
Ronaldinho won numerous major team trophies with AC Milan, Barcelona, and the Brazilian national team in addition to winning the Ballon d’Or once. His strike against Chelsea in 2005 was one of the best goals you’ll ever see in European play, and he was a delight to watch, especially in the UEFA Champions League.
Ronaldinho’s career and club statistics
Group:
Brazil
Barcelona
Milan AC
PSG
Athletic Mineiro
Looks:
97
207
95
77
85
Objectives:
33
94
26
25
28
Helps:
29
69
29
19.
30
Trophies Acquired:
Two World Cups and two Copa Americas
La Liga 2x, Supercopa de Espana 2x, and the UCL
Serie A
N/A
Recopa Sudamericana, Copa Libertadores
Maradona, Diego
Duration of Career: 1976–1997
Diego Maradona, a once-in-a-lifetime attacking jewel, must be mentioned while talking about Argentinean football. Due to their shared heritage as Argentina’s footballing gods, many people liken him to Messi, a creative genius who has the ability to breach a defence at any time.
According to Aguero, the legendary duo shouldn’t be compared (via Stake.com):
“Those comparisons were never to my taste. And it has nothing to do with who is a greater symbol. In the hearts of Argentines, each one holds a special place. I like to reflect on how fortunate we Argentineans are to have Diego and Leo, who were each the greatest players in their respective eras.
Maradona scored the ‘Goal of the Century’ during a spectacular run against England in the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup, which he won with Argentina. ‘El Pibe de Oro’ couldn’t achieve much, and he will always be remembered as a football legend. He was Aguero’s former father-in-law and later managed him as coach of his national team.
Diego Maradona’s career and club statistics
Group:
Argentina
Napoli
Barcelona
Sevilla
Junior Boca
Looks:
84
257
58
28
3.
Objectives:
32
115
38
6.
0
Helps:
27
76
23
8.
0
Trophies Acquired:
The World Cup
UEFA Cup, Italian Cup, Italian Super Cup, Serie A 2x
Spanish League Cup, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de Espana
N/A
Argentina’s Title
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