Sergio Aguero might have retired from professional football a year ago, but that didn't stop him from celebrating Argentina's World Cup triumph in the best way possible.
On December 15, 2021, Aguero announced his retirement from football a month-and-a-half after suffering a cardiac arrhythmia while playing for Barcelona. Fast-forward 12 months and he was dancing in the stands, rushing onto the pitch and lifting the World Cup trophy.
Argentina won a thrilling World Cup final on Sunday via a penalty shootout, after they had played out a remarkable 3-3 draw with France at the Lusail Stadium. Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria had put Argentina two goals up before half-time, but two Kylian Mbappe goals in the space of 90 seconds forced extra-time.
READ MORE: Man City legend Sergio Aguero allowed to lift World Cup as Argentina beat France on penalties
In the 108th minute Lionel Messi looked to have won the match he bundled the ball home following a superb save from Hugo Lloris. Aguero certainly thought so anyway; City's all-time leading goalscorer sat in the stands behind the Argentina dugout, was caught on camera singing the name of his best friend and former roommate.
The lead was short-lived however, as ten minutes later Mbappe completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot to send the game to a shootout.
Aguero, kitted out in an Argentina shirt bearing the name of his former City and international teammate Nicolas Otamendi, could barely watch as his compatriots stepped up to the penalty spot. He even turned his back as Gonzalo Montiel swept home the winner, but as soon as the ball rippled the net he rushed down onto the pitch and within seconds was part of a cocoon of players that embraced their talisman Messi.
It's possible Aguero would have been a part of the Argentina squad had he not been forced into retirement, so it was perhaps no surprise to see him involved in the celebrations. The 34-year-old joined the players in celebrating with their fans behind one of the goals, and even made himself the team drummer by bashing out the rhythm of chants.
While the sight of a former player running onto the pitch in full kit was a little odd, few could begrudge Aguero for doing so. John Terry certainly didn't. The former Chelsea man, who infamously celebrated Chelsea's 2012 Champions League triumph in full kit despite not playing, tweeted: "If your going to do it, at least go for it and put the shin pads and boots on."
Aguero was even allowed to join the players for the official trophy presentation, and got to lift the trophy that sadly evaded him as a player. That honour has not evaded young City attacker Julian Alvarez, and Aguero was filmed embracing the man who is looking to continue the Argentinian legacy at the Etihad Stadium.
After the trophy lift there was a lovely moment when Aguero lifted Messi on his shoulders as the Argentine captain hoisted the trophy up in front of supporters. Photographers flocked to snap an image that is eerily similar to one of Diego Maradona sitting on someone's shoulders as he held the trophy above his head in 1986.
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