Argentine star Sergio Aguero, the former striker for Barcelona and Manchester City, has admitted that joining the Catalan club was never part of his plan. Instead, he had hoped to stay at Manchester City, even if it meant taking on a bench role.
Aguero spent a decade at City, cementing his status as one of the club’s greatest legends. However, ahead of the 2021 summer transfer window, the club informed him that his contract would not be renewed, forcing him to explore other options—ultimately leading to his short stint at Barcelona.
Aguero: "I Wanted to Stay at Manchester City"
Speaking to Manchester Evening News, Aguero revealed that remaining at City was his first choice, but he respected the club’s decision.
"I had a contract until 2021, and five or six months before it ended, City told me they wouldn’t renew it. So I started looking for a new club, and that’s how I ended up at Barcelona," he explained.
He added: "City was my home. I wanted to stay for at least one more year, even as a substitute. But I understood that the club needed changes. It was their decision, and I think it was a good one because they needed a younger replacement."
How He Landed at Barcelona
After his departure from City, Barcelona emerged as an option, and Aguero wasted no time in accepting their offer.
"My agent called and said that Barça was interested but couldn’t match my City salary. I told him, ‘I don’t care,’" Aguero recalled.
A major reason behind his decision to move to Barcelona was the opportunity to play alongside his close friend Lionel Messi.
"When the deal was almost done, I told Leo, and he was happy. But then, everything changed," he said, referring to Messi’s shocking exit from the club.
Unfortunately, Aguero’s time at Barcelona was cut short due to a heart condition that forced him into early retirement, preventing him from making the impact he had hoped for at the club.
