Sergio Aguero has outlined his significant Lionel Messi regret following the pairs moves in last year’s summer transfer window.
Aguero departed Manchester City after a decade at the Etihad – in which he established himself as the club’s top scorer and won four Premier League titles – to unite with Messi at Barcelona.
That came just weeks before Argentine international teammate Messi completed his high-profile summer transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi has netted just two domestic goals across 15 appearances since his move to the French capital this summer and despite winning his record-breaking seventh Ballon d'Or title by scooping the 2021 accolade in November, things have not gone his way this campaign.
Aguero – who has been forced into early retirement due to health issues - has now confirmed that his main motivation for his switch to the Camp Nou this summer was to play alongside his close friend Messi at club level for the first time in his career.
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The two never did get the opportunity to play alongside each other, with Aguero playing his final game for the Blaugrana in early November.
Aguero has now explained in an interview with Radio 10: "I'm not sorry that I did not go back to Independiente, even though I had planned to retire there.
"I knew I was still physically fit to be at Barcelona for two years. I couldn't say no to joining them.
"I was very excited to come to Barcelona and play with Leo. Clearly, it wasn't for money. The people were happy.
"We lost our game against Real Madrid, but I scored a goal against them. So I can say that my last goal was against Madrid!"
Aguero went on to confirm that he was still close to Messi and the rest of his former Argentine international, whom he plans to accompany in a non-playing role to this year’s World Cup.
However, the former striker added that he was angry at the criticism his friend Messi has received in the French press due to his performance with Paris Saint-Germain.
Aguero added: "We always talk and not only with him, we still have a group with the boys from the National Team.
"How are the French media going to criticise Messi, Leo had played well and they try to kill him?
"Were they watching the game with their backs turned?
"Leo always plays five levels above everyone else."
The comments came just days after Aguero took to his Twitch stream to tell his followers: "Leo played well, he broke lines. I'm not saying that because he's a friend, but because he played hard. He was good and very active.
"In France, magazines and newspapers killed him. They are a**holes. I had an interview scheduled with a French magazine, but I said: 'No, because I support Leo Messi. Period. So goodbye, see you soon.' Now I'm angry."
Aguero and Messi played alongside each other dozens of time for the Argentina international side, but never had the opportunity to be in the same side at club level.
