To most people, relocating to another nation to sign with the wealthiest soccer team on the planet at only 23 years old would seem incredibly intimidating, especially with a £35 million transfer fee magnifying the immense scrutiny and anticipation typically reserved for the sport’s top-tier talent.
However, upon his arrival at the Etihad to commit his future to Manchester City, Sergio Aguero immediately proved that the burden did not weigh heavily on his shoulders, kicking off a ten-year tenure during which he established himself as one of the most legendary goalscorers in Premier League history.
An impressive tally of 30 goals in all tournaments culminated in City capturing their first league championship in over four decades, instantly justifying the Argentine forward’s choice to make the move.
Select the perfect 4-4-2 formation using stars from FourFourTwo’s official Top 100 rankings
Aguero’s reflections on adapting to life at City
“I was extremely youthful when I departed Argentina,” Aguero explains to FourFourTwo. “I was only 17, on the verge of turning 18, when Atletico secured my transfer from Independiente back in 2006. The most challenging aspect was resolving to move abroad at such a tender age.”
In Aguero’s view, the transition was made more difficult by the limited technological resources of that era.
“It is important to recall that back in 2006, the technological landscape was far less advanced, making communication with loved ones and friends a real challenge. Today, a teenager of 17 or 18 has countless methods to reach out to relatives instantly—you can initiate a video call on your smartphone in mere seconds.
“In those days, you had to carefully plan ahead just to figure out how to call home. It was a much more demanding process, and that is precisely what made the transition so taxing for me.”
Regardless of those hurdles, Aguero maintains that his stint in Madrid laid the necessary groundwork for him to thrive and relish his finest footballing years in the Premier League.
“Even so, embarking on my European career with Atletico in a competition as prestigious as La Liga was unquestionably the correct move,” he adds. “When Manchester City approached me, I saw a golden opportunity to test myself in English football, combined with the exciting long-term project the club was constructing with fresh talent.
“They were putting together a squad designed for long-term success, capable of lifting major trophies. Furthermore, the presence of my international compatriots Pablo Zabaleta and Carlos Tevez at the club made my choice to join them significantly simpler.”
“In football, career choices can easily go wrong, but fortunately, this move turned out to be just as successful as my transition to Atletico. During my debut campaign with Manchester City, I enjoyed an outstanding run, netting 24 goals in the league.
“How did I adjust to the English game with such ease? Above all, it was down to my inner drive. I possessed an unrelenting competitive spirit and always strived to push myself further. My goal was to build a lasting legacy at Manchester City. Additionally, given the substantial amount they paid Atletico for my services, I felt a strong responsibility to justify their financial outlay. I wanted to excel on the pitch so they would know their investment was fully worthwhile.
“A multitude of other factors aided my seamless integration, not least the exceptional quality of my Manchester City teammates. Finding chemistry was effortless alongside the likes of David Silva, Yaya Toure, Edin Dzeko, Mario Balotelli, Gareth Barry, Vincent Kompany, and James Milner—who were outstanding leaders in their own right.”
