Sergio Agüero, one of the most iconic strikers of his generation, reflects on a journey shaped as much by his talent as by the tough love of his father. Despite a career that saw him score 427 goals in 786 games and immortalize himself with that legendary title-winning goal for Manchester City, the words he waited a lifetime to hear praise from his father only came once he retired. His dad, Leonel del Castillo, had always withheld compliments, fearing they might make his son arrogant. That emotional weight shaped Agüero’s drive and defined much of his character.
Agüero’s early life in the Los Eucaliptus neighborhood of Buenos Aires was far from easy. Football wasn’t just a game it was a lifeline. As a child, he often played multiple games in a single day, unknowingly helping his father earn appearance fees. His strict upbringing was driven by survival as much as ambition. Though it left emotional scars, Agüero acknowledges it kept him away from the drugs and violence that consumed many in his neighborhood. He believes that without his father’s pressure, he might not have made it out.
The story of Agüero’s career is also one of adaptation and resilience. After debuting at 15 with Independiente, he moved to Atlético Madrid at 18, alone and unprepared for the emotional toll of leaving home. When he felt Atlético lacked ambition, he hoped for a move to Real Madrid, only to end up at Manchester City. Despite language barriers and a foreign culture, he thrived, becoming a Premier League legend. That title-winning goal against QPR in 2012, which secured City’s first Premier League title, became his defining moment. Though proud, he’s quick to credit others too, particularly Mario Balotelli for the assist.
He spent a decade at City, eventually leaving when Pep Guardiola felt it was time. His next stop was meant to be a dream reunion with Lionel Messi at Barcelona, a final push toward the World Cup. Instead, Messi left, and Agüero’s heart condition ended his career prematurely in 2022, just two starts into his stint in Spain. Though he had surgery at 13 and managed heart issues before, the arrhythmia was severe enough to force retirement. The news was devastating, yet Agüero accepted it with grace.
Post-retirement, he’s found new pursuits investments, streaming, and a return to fitness. His new documentary, Kun by Agüero, serves as a form of therapy and a tribute to the complicated relationship with his father. While his dad hasn’t seen the full documentary, Agüero gave him space to speak freely. The emotional core remains: a boy who chased validation from a father who believed pressure was necessary to forge greatness.
Though he missed out on playing at the 2022 World Cup, Agüero shared in Argentina’s victory, celebrating by carrying Messi on his shoulders. “I feel like a champion,” he says. His final goal came in a clásico against Real Madrid fitting for a player who spent his life rising to the occasion. Even in retirement, Agüero continues to inspire, a testament to talent, toughness, and a life lived in full.
