Almost exactly one year ago, tears flowed from Sergio Agüero’s eyes as he announced a sudden end to his playing career at age 33.

Long underrated compared to his generational peers, the Argentine striker had only recently been getting his due. Perhaps his health, particularly the cardiac arrhythmia which forced his decision to retire, helped put more of what he had achieved in perspective — namely as the player with the most goals scored in the Premier League born outside of England’s borders. He had just been a prized signing for FC Barcelona, but his impact was limited to just a handful of matches following a storied spell at Manchester City. He was invaluable for the Argentina men’s national team, scoring 41 goals in 101 appearances, bookending his international career with an Olympic gold medal in 2008 and a Copa America title in 2021. 

But now, just like that, Agüero was done scoring goals for both club and country. His irregular heartbeat proved too great a risk to continue playing, no matter how much he wanted to. 

“I did everything possible to keep hope alive, but there was not much,” he said at Camp Nou on December 15, 2021. “I am very proud for my career, very happy.”

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The game carried on, as it does whenever great players retire. Barcelona would build its line around another great striker in Robert Lewandowski. Argentina would give further minutes to Lautaro Martínez and, particularly at this World Cup, 22-year-old Julián Álvarez. 

However, Agüero would still finish the 2022 World Cup with the trophy in his hands and Lionel Messi on his shoulders as he filled the role of Argentina’s invaluable second corazón. 

In March, Agüero revealed that he had turned down an offer to join Argentina’s coaching staff for the World Cup. 

“The invitation to be part of (the) Argentina staff was in the table. I spoke with Chiqui (Tapia, Argentina Football Association president) and I was clear with him about my goal to enjoy my time,” Agüero told ESPN. “I’m going to Qatar, but as a fan. … I will be available for any event related to Argentina national team, as an image or an ambassador but I don’t want a day-to-day responsibility with the team.”

Instead, he joined ESPN Argentina’s stable of commentators to provide invaluable insight into the team. 

Things got off to a rocky start for Agüero in Qatar, though. In the days before Argentina’s opening group-stage match against Saudi Arabia, he said he was denied access to the team’s training base. 

“If they don’t want me to go, it’s okay, but tell me to my face,” Agüero said on a YouTube livestream. “I’ve never hurt anyone, I’ve always behaved well. Maybe there are people from inside that didn’t like something that I have said. I don’t even remember. … I asked and they told me that the decision comes from above, but I see that other people have been allowed inside. I have been with the Argentina team before and they arrange a credential quickly. … It’s a weird situation.”

As the tournament progressed, the situation changed, though. Agüero was left to analyze a historic defeat to Saudi Arabia. 

After that match, Agüero highlighted the difficulties which came from starting Martínez in his former position up top. It’s a difficult role to embrace, but this went beyond playing the devil’s advocate; Agüero knew, better than most, why Argentina fell against perceived inferior opposition.

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“Today the game was not for Lautaro,” he said in ESPN’s studio coverage. “ (As a number) nine… you have to wait and see what happens, if you have a rebound. Lautaro, it had to be between the two central (defenders). Sometimes, Leo (Messi) would go offside so that the center-backs would go back a bit.”

While the Inter Milan striker started the ensuing win over Mexico, he was replaced by Álvarez for the Group C finale against Poland. After the Manchester City man’s interplay with Messi bore a less cagey match in the final third, he became the better option to lead the line for Argentina. Álvarez was arguably the revelation of the knockout rounds, forcing the issue in the Golden Boot race with four goals before starting the final against France. 

As the tournament progressed, the apparent divide between Agüero and the team seemed to shrink. While they weren’t as youthful as Senegal or the United States, this roster represented a changing of the guard for Argentina. Though Messi and Ángel Di María are among the nation’s most notable players, there was still a steep learning curve for the likes of Martínez, Álvarez and Enzo Fernández. To have a contemporary who had played for Argentina in pressure moments around Messi and the rest of the squad could be invaluable as they navigated a month filled with high stakes — particularly for Messi, given all the pressure and scrutiny around him alone.

Agüero had long been a confidant for Messi. Ever since the duo were representing Argentina at the youth levels, they were roommates during international duty. In a Twitch stream during this World Cup, the retired striker learned that Messi had opted to have his own space rather than take in another roommate for the tournament. 

“Where are you guys?” Agüero asked. 

“In our room,” Messi replied. 

“Ours?” Agüero said, pointing to himself. 

“Of course,” Messi said. 

Immediately after Argentina’s contentious win over the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, Agüero was on the pitch with the players, hugging Messi and keeping the Dutch players away from him as he fulfilled media obligations in the tunnel. 

Picado el vestuario. #ARG #NED

— Javier Lanza (@javierlanza) December 10, 2022

After Argentina’s win over Croatia in the semifinal, Messi gave Agüero his match shorts, which Agüero passed along to his son. As if obtaining his bottoms wasn’t enough, Agüero was asked to take on another responsibility, this time by FIFA. It was up to Agüero to give his longtime friend the day’s man of the match trophy.

Messi x Aguero 🥹❤️#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 13, 2022

On Thursday, he joined La Albiceleste for training and turned heads with a clinical finish before showing off his goalkeeping skills by stopping a penalty. At that point, whatever “weird situation” there had been at the start of the tournament had passed and Agüero’s reintegration was completed when he was asked to once again be Messi’s roommate and ensure their iconic talisman was in the right frame of mind ahead of Sunday’s final. He may not have intended to have any day-to-day responsibilities with the team in Qatar, but all this amounted to a role even more involved than that of any actual member of the coaching staff. 

During Sunday’s final, Agüero’s nerves were evident. As Messi lined up across from Hugo Lloris for a 23rd-minute penalty kick, the striker who once opened the eyes of the Premier League with an unforgettable last-gasp goal was now rendered unable to watch. 

Aguero's reaction to Messi's penalty 😂😭
–@aguerosergiokun

— َ (@inill77) December 14, 2022

One can’t imagine it was much easier to stomach as France refused to give Messi a comfortable coronation as the GOAT. It was a finale for the ages, with Messi and his successor, Kylian Mbappé, engaging in a heavyweight battle, trading goals right through the shootout. By the end, of course, Messi’s Argentina were triumphant. After 36 years, the South American nation was once again on top of the men’s game.

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After the final kick, Agüero rushed to embrace the Argentina players on the field faster than anyone on the bench did. And, with Messi as the obvious centerpiece of the celebration, there was no more worthy support to carry soccer’s singular talent than the once-again roommate. 

As the party moved to the dressing room and beyond, Agüero was there with the team every step of the way — in the end, serving as part coach, part mascot, part bodyguard and part inspiration. An old friend making the most of the unfortunate hand they were dealt. 

On Messi’s greatest day, he was in comfortable company.

Hola gente como les va ?

— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) December 19, 2022

(Top photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)