After retiring in 2021 with cardiac arrhythmia, iconic Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero made a goal-scoring return to football as he levelled the match for his KuniSports outfit against Porcinos FC in Gerard Pique's Kings League.
Former Argentina and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero, who retired from football in 2021 after being diagnosed with a heart arrhythmia, scored on his comeback before imitating his close buddy Lionel Messi's celebration to honour his goal.
Aguero got on the scoresheet for his own Kings League team KuniSports in their penalty shoot-out loss to Porcinos FC, before making for the corner flag and replicating Messi's hands-behind-the-ears pose.
Sergio Agüero scores his first goal in the Kings League!pic.twitter.com/zi9K106yJT
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer)After obtaining the all-clear from Ecuador's Barcelona SC, it was stated that Aguero would be making a brief comeback to football this month. However, the Argentinian icon appeared to brush up on his skills in the Kings League, setting off a social media frenzy as fans tried to identify the 'masked winger'.
With KuniSports 2-1 down to Porcinos FC, led by one of Spain's most popular Twitch streamers Ibai Llanos, Aguero scored a stunning equaliser. The 34-year-old took a touch off his feet after receiving a pass on his chest and then unleashed a left-footed shot into the bottom corner with a style of finishing familiar to Manchester City supporters.
The forward rushed to celebrate his goal-scoring return to football with his teammates and seized the chance to imitate the celebration of Argentina's World Cup 2022-winning captain, Messi. Aguero went to the corner and stopped before the Porcinos FC box, placing both hands over his ears.
Notably, Messi directed his celebratory gesture at Louis van Gaal during the World Cup victory over the Netherlands at Doha's Lusail Stadium. The gesture is believed to have responded to Van Gaal's poor treatment of Argentine icon Juan Riquelme while managing Barcelona, where he was frequently benched and played out of position.
After scoring, Riquelme was renowned for cupping his ears with his hands, which may have inspired the stance.
The Kings League, the latest creation of Gerard Pique, has 12 seven-a-side teams competing for a championship under the leadership of a mix of former pros, Twitch streamers, and online personalities.
Aguero managed to score the crucial equaliser, but he could not lead his team to victory. The former Barcelona striker missed his penalty in the ensuing shootout after his shot hit the post.
Regardless of the results, fans of the iconic Argentinian striker are thrilled to see the player again in action. "I'm just happy to see Kun playing again," noted one fan, while another added, "Great to see Sergio back on a pitch doing what he does best."
A third fan of Aguero noted, "The way he waited for that defender to react. Elite goalscorer," while a fourth added, "It's the Messi-inspired celebration for me."
Here's a look at some of the reactions:
🇦🇷 Aguerooooooo..
⚽ Great to see Sergio back on a pitch doing what he does best 💙 https://t.co/F7m1VXeyac
アグエロのプレー見れて嬉しい https://t.co/LQDmmbSYS2 pic.twitter.com/LPPIjDl11p
— m (@kunAguero1110)That celebration looks familiar 😂 https://t.co/0Y8RjNcTDd
— Chidy Bengz (@MrBengz)Man so good to see him playing again. So sad how his career ended but glad he’s back out there https://t.co/lDjZ0d0QjV
— Laidback Spidey🇨🇴 (@ziion14)This is so nice to see. All these legends who couldn’t play again because of old age or health conditions can rediscover their passion in these leagues https://t.co/skWtjpYtn7
— Femi🎒 (@femi_nyst)Then hits the 🐐 celebration😍 https://t.co/KUmbYafR0X pic.twitter.com/GDfF66E5sI
— Kofi_Coke_💙 (@iamKofi_Coke)Y'ALL THOUGHT IT WAS OVER. WE BACK LIKE GOKU AFTER THE MEDS.
NO SE ME AHUEVEN. https://t.co/fHw40AuKbd pic.twitter.com/HLQfPP9kjl
He will never loose his finishing he always know how to finish 💙 https://t.co/DG8zAt4gSc
— g_certified (@gcertifedd)Sergio Aguero after scoring in Pique’s Kings League! pic.twitter.com/hHLNIr9PBK
— Leo Messi 🔟 (@WeAreMessi)SERGIO AGUERO HITS THE MESSI CELE 🇦🇷 Playing in a seven-a-side team that is part of Gerard Pique’s Kings League competition, Aguero scores and then promptly pays tribute to Messi’s now iconic cele from the World Cup. Miss watching Aguero on the field. 💙
pic.twitter.com/v5F53nDp1E
Made in Argentina 🦁🔥 pic.twitter.com/d07cCNP1Ap
— FootTheBall FC (@FootTheBallFC)Aguero is back 🧡🔥 pic.twitter.com/GV7jCnd29N
— Muhammad Sobug (@SobugMessi10jr)Kun Aguero returns to football and celebrates like Messi with a trademark Riquelme celebration after scoring for his side Kuni Sport in the Kings League. pic.twitter.com/9PHyL65el2
— ARG Soccer News ™ 🇦🇷⚽⭐️⭐️⭐️🏆 (@ARG_soccernews)