Aguero erupts in defense of Messi: ‘Why all the hate? He’s the greatest in sporting history’

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Sergio Agüero, the legendary Argentine striker and one of Lionel Messi’s closest friends, has launched a fervent defense of the 39-year-old captain ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final, blasting critics who have questioned the veteran’s performances and dismissing suggestions that Argentina’s style of play has been overly physical.

In an impassioned monologue on his Vamo a Juga podcast, the former Manchester City and Barcelona forward did not hold back, expressing bewilderment at the hostility directed toward his longtime teammate.

“What has Messi done to deserve so much hate? I honestly don’t understand it,” Agüero said, his voice rising with frustration. “He’s a quiet man. He says nothing. He just plays football. And he is, quite literally, the greatest player in history. People need to calm down.”

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The outburst was triggered in part by recent comments from Spain defender Aymeric Laporte, who suggested in an interview with Marca that Argentina had left “too many marks” on opponents during their run to the final and expressed “surprise” at the refereeing standards in the tournament. Laporte, who played alongside Agüero at Manchester City for four seasons, appeared to be referencing Argentina’s robust defensive approach, which has seen them commit 97 fouls across seven matches—the highest of any team at the World Cup.

Agüero’s response was both sharp and personal. “What are you surprised about?” he shot back. “Don’t act tough, because when we meet, you crumble.” The remark drew immediate attention, though Agüero later clarified on social media that his comments were made in jest, insisting: “Aymeric and I are friends. Don’t take everything so seriously, people.”

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Beyond the war of words, Agüero’s central message was one of awe at Messi’s enduring brilliance. The Argentine captain has been the heartbeat of his country’s campaign, scoring eight goals and providing four assists in seven matches—including two decisive assists in the semifinal comeback against England, where he set up Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez in the final 10 minutes to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 victory.

“He’s 39 years old, yet he still produced two assists in a World Cup semifinal,” Agüero marveled. “Just look at what he’s still doing. I’ll be 39 too, but I’m here in front of a camera. Cristiano Ronaldo is too, and so are the rest of us. Messi, meanwhile, is still out there playing as if he were 20 years old. We’re here talking and analyzing the game, while he’s still making the difference on the pitch.”

The statistical evidence backs Agüero’s admiration. Messi currently holds the all-time World Cup records for most appearances (33), most wins (23), most assists (12), and most minutes played (2,802). He has also scored in seven different World Cup tournaments—a feat no other player has achieved—and with eight goals in this edition, he remains in contention for the Golden Boot, trailing only Kylian Mbappé’s 10.

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Agüero, who retired in 2021 due to a cardiac arrhythmia at the age of 33, reflected on the gulf between himself and his former teammate. At 38, Agüero now works as a pundit, while Messi continues to defy biology. “No one will ever reach Leo’s level,” he declared. “We probably won’t see another player like him for a very long time. Not us, not our children, and not even our grandchildren will witness someone like him again. Great players will come, of course—there will always be talent. But everything Messi has accomplished throughout his career makes him, in my eyes, the greatest figure in the history of sport.”

The sentiment has been echoed across the football world in the buildup to the final. Spain manager Luis de la Fuente himself admitted: “Messi is a genius. You cannot plan for him—you can only hope to limit him.” Even Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who was famously photographed with Messi as a baby, has spoken of his admiration: “He is my idol. Playing against him in a World Cup final is a dream I never dared to imagine.”

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As Argentina prepares to face Spain at MetLife Stadium, the subplot surrounding Messi’s legacy looms larger than ever. A victory would crown him with a second consecutive World Cup title, an achievement that would all but end the debate over football’s greatest player. But for Agüero, the debate is already closed—and those who question Messi’s greatness, or his character, are simply not paying attention.

“He’s done nothing but play football,” Agüero repeated, his tone softer but no less resolute. “And he is, quite literally, the best there has ever been. The hate? It’s unwarranted. It’s undeserved. And frankly, it’s embarrassing.”

As the final whistle approaches, one thing is certain: whether Messi lifts the trophy or not, his place in history is already secure. And Sergio Agüero, his friend and fiercest defender, will be watching from the stands—not as a player, but as a witness to greatness he insists will never be repeated.