If you ever really want to test your knowledge of soccer, try your luck with an Argentine cab driver. During a recent ride I took to meet River Plate’s latest European export, Gonzalo Higuaín, my cabbie, a passionate River supporter, asked me: ”Tell me, who do you think is the best Argentine soccer player at the moment?”
Without any hesitation I replied, ”Sergio Agüero.”
“OK, now I definitely know you know what you’re talking about,” he answered back. “Which magazine do you write for again?”
Why the vote of confidence? Historically, most of Argentina’s talent has come from Buenos Aires’ two super-clubs, Boca Juniors and River Plate. It takes an enterprising eye to make such an assertion about Agüero, who came to prominence at Independiente before being sold to Spain’s Atlético Madrid last May. While much of the soccer world raves about Carlos Tévez or Lionel Messi, the 18-year-old Agüero may very well be the most technically gifted Argentine soccer player since Diego Maradona.
“Kun,” as he’s commonly referred to because of his similarities with a Japanese cartoon character, made his Argentine First Division debut with Independiente at the age of 15, beating Maradona’s record-breaking debut by a few months. But the similarities don’t end there. Agüero was also brought up in a dangerous Buenos Aires barrio, as his parents struggled to make ends meet.
He recalls having to dodge bullets during much of his childhood before Independiente bought his family a house in a safer suburb. Like Maradona and so many Argentine soccer stars, poverty played a significant role in Agüero’s life. But the starlet realized the game was his only way out.
Maradona recently said Agüero has the potential to become one of the best strikers in history, perhaps outdoing even him. Then again, Maradona has said this about several hopefuls in the last few years, including Tévez, who is struggling mightily at England’s West Ham. Still, from what we’ve seen of him so far, if any player has a shot at surpassing the greatest Argentine player of all time, Agüero is the man.
Like “El Diez,” Agüero possesses masterly skills that have enabled him to rip apart defenses in key matches time and time again. He’s a player who always seems to rise to the big occasion and scores when it matters most. And like Maradona, he clearly has an eye for highlight reels.
Mention the greatest goal of all time, and most soccer fans will immediately cite Maradona’s breathtaking strike against England in Argentina’s ’86 World Cup quarterfinal victory, when he won the ball in his own half, performed a full 360-degree turn and eased past practically the entire English team before sliding the ball into the back of the net.
Guess what? Agüero did it, too. In the ’05 Apertura Championship, just three months after his 17th birthday, he replicated Maradona’s amazing effort while playing for Independiente. (Click here to see for yourself.) What made the goal all the more special was that it was against bitter rival Racing Club. Agüero also scored a pair of goals in his final derby game at Racing’s intimidating Cilindro de Avellaneda, leading his team to a 2-0 victory last year.
This isn’t to say that Agüero will be the next Maradona — we’re all quick to anoint that title on any number of players — but he’s definitely headed for great things. Since making his Atlético Madrid debut last August, Agüero has been an instant hit. He has already scored five goals in Spanish league play, including a memorable strike to hold Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at the intimidating Camp Nou in late December. At his age, that’s certainly a further indication of good things to come.
The one thing that may play against him is a problem that has affected the careers of so many other South Americans, even Maradona: discipline. In Agüero’s case, it’s health — namely, his diet. Upon his arrival to Spain, Atlético team nutritionist David Jiménez was surprised by Agüero’s horrible eating habits, observing “he would only eat meat and wouldn’t drink water.” The young phenom was a few pounds overweight, too.
So far that hasn’t been a factor. Agüero is helping Atleti challenge for a Champions League berth next season with several outstanding performances. He has adapted quickly to Spanish soccer and has linked up well in the attack with Atlético star player and captain Fernando Torres.
For many fans, Agüero has been the revelation of La Liga, particularly because of his fresh image and outstanding dribbling skills. Back home, he is exactly what every Argentine soccer fan has dreamed of for at least the last decade: a player who was born with enough natural talent to bring back the memories left by Maradona.
And Kun will have the opportunity to impress for his country during this June’s Copa América in Venezuela. He should play a key role as Argentina aims to win its first national competition since ’93. That would be of some consolation for Agüero, who was controversially left off José Pekerman‘s World Cup squad in Germany last summer.
For now, Agüero has the world at his feet. At Atlético, he has already lived up to the name he made for himself in Argentina, and signs are promising as he looks to become one of the greatest strikers in the game. There are some heavy expectations on Agüero’s shoulders. Time will tell if he can live up to them.
Gregory Sica
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