Argentine football legend Sergio Agüero recently looked back with nostalgia on his departure from Manchester City in the summer of 2021. Despite leaving an indelible mark on the English club, the all-time top scorer for the "Cityzens" admitted that his exit was not his choice, but rather a decision made by the club’s management.

"I wanted to stay, even if it was on the bench"

After a decade at Manchester City, where he became a club icon with 260 goals, Agüero wanted to stay for at least one more season, even if it meant taking on a reduced role under Pep Guardiola. However, the club decided not to renew his contract, forcing him to accept the decision.

"They told me five or six months in advance that they wouldn’t renew my contract. I wanted to stay—it was my home. I was willing to accept a different role, even being on the bench, because I knew playing in the Premier League for another year would help me physically for the World Cup," the former striker revealed in a recent interview.

While he understood the club’s need for changes, Agüero admitted he would have liked to stay and contribute in any way possible. "During my last season, I was already playing very little under Pep, but I wanted to help in other ways. The club decided they needed a replacement, and maybe staying as a backup wasn’t the best option," he explained.

Messi and a dream that never came true

After leaving England, Agüero joined FC Barcelona, a club he had always admired and that offered him the chance to play alongside his close friend Lionel Messi. Without hesitation, he accepted the offer, putting aside financial considerations.

"When my agent told me that Barcelona was interested but couldn’t pay me what City did, I told him I didn’t care—they could put whatever numbers they wanted," he revealed. "When I told Leo, he was really happy."

However, fate had other plans. First, Messi unexpectedly left the club for Paris Saint-Germain, and shortly after, Agüero was diagnosed with heart problems that forced him into early retirement, preventing him from ever sharing the field with his friend at Barça.

"I really wanted to play with Leo, but that’s how football is—sometimes things are just out of your control," the Argentine lamented.

Despite the disappointment, Agüero left an unforgettable legacy in European football and in the history of Manchester City, where his name remains synonymous with greatness.