Agüero at Atleti

Sergio Lenoel Agüero del Castillo, better known as "Kun", is known for his legend status at Manchester City. A club which he announced he will be departing from this summer. Now, for Kun, being a club hero has always been a trait that he has quickly adapted wherever he has played. At his boyhood club of Independiente, of Argentina, he quickly won over the Diablos Rojos (Red Devils) faithful when making his debut on 5th July 2003, at just 15 years, one month and three days, against San Lorenzo. He became the youngest player to play in the Primera División de Argentina (the Argentine First Division), breaking the record set by the man who would later become his suegro (father-in-law)- Diego Armando Maradona. After three seasons with Independiente, Atlético Madrid came calling in the summer of 2006 and paid a club-record fee of €20 million for his services. Kun was leaving his home in South America for his European dream. This was his moment to make a mark and create a legacy.

Source: sportbible.com

Kun arrived in the Spanish capital with the pressure of his price tag and the expectation of success weighing heavy on his shoulders. To top it all, he also had the small task of competing with El Niño (the boy) Fernando Torres. An Atleti legend. Yet, instead of seeing this as cause for concern, Kun saw this as an opportunity to learn and express himself. Luckily for him, the Atleti manager at the time, Javier Aguirre, knew how to man-manage him and gave him sparring appearances in his first season. Following this, in the 2006/07 season, Kun had a mix of games as titular (starting XI) and others coming off the banquillo (bench). All in all, his debut season was a relative success, with 42 appearances and 7 goals to his name. In an otherwise uninspiring season, Atleti's star boy Fernando was signed by Liverpool that summer. A vacancy had opened to carry the colchoneros (Mattress makers, a nickname of Atleti in homage to their red and white striped kits that infamously matched the mattresses of Spain), it was time for Kun to seize that moment.

Source: marca.com

New heights

In the window that saw Torres leave, Atleti recruited Thiago Motta, José Antonio Reyes along with Kun's new strike partner, Diego Forlán. The club had now seen a few disappointing seasons off the boil. Ones where they looked nowhere close to being challengers for the Champions League positions, the pressure had been lifted and the new equipo (team) were able to play freely once more. Kun and Diego connected well on and off the pitch, two latinos taking La Liga to town. In their first season together, 2007/08, their goal contributions spear-headed the club to 66 goals for the season. Kun became pichichi (top goalscorer), not only in the league (19), but all time scorer too for the team (27). After a long time out of the UCL, Kun and Diego got the club back to where they belonged. For the trivia fans out there, Atleti were knocked out of the UEFA Cup this season at the Last 32 stage against Bolton Wanderers... How times change.

Source: goal.com

The 2008/09 season was hotly anticipated for the Atleti faithful. Could they maintain the performances of the past season? More importantly, could Kun be as influential and find the consistency that the club needed? In a season characterised by the return of UCL football to the famous estadio (stadium) of the Vincente Calderón, it would be Forlán who starred the show. Kun did manage to bag 17 times in the league and 4 times in the UCL, as Atleti reached the Round of 16, where they were knocked-out on the away goals rule to Porto. However, with Forlán in the form of his life, netting 32 times in the league, Kun had to plug away for his plaudits. Forlán won the top scorer of the league and Europe's golden boot for the second time in his career- the perfect man for Kun to learn from. Luckily for the latino boys, they had another shot at the UCL for the following season.

Source: telegraph.co.uk

A taste of glory

The 2009/10 season saw a 3 managers take the helm at Los Rojiblancos (the red and whites). Kun's goal-scoring form in La Liga saw a dip, with the Argentine registering 12 goals in a league campaign that fell by the wayside following two high placed finishes. However, in Europe, Atleti turned failure into success. After being knocked-out at the group stage of the UCL, they joined the Europa League, where they quickly found their feet and looked a real threat. In the Quarters, they faced Valencia, going through on away goals, a rule that cut their UCL journey short just a season before. In the Semis they faced Liverpool, a team synonymous with European success. Atleti won the first leg in Madrid, 1-0, Forlán with the goal. Then, in the return leg, a 1-0 lead for Liverpool in normal time took the game to extra-time. In 93' minute Liverpool went 2-1 up on aggregate. Luckily for Atleti, Forlán came up with the goods in the 102' minute to send them through on away goals again. Now, they would face the surprise journeymen of the Europa League in the final, Roy Hodgson's Fulham, in Hamburg.

Source: as.com

Kun got the nod to start up top with Diego, who opened the scoring at the half hour mark, guiding in an effort from Kun. Underdogs, Fulham, equalised and the game remained evens at full-time. Atleti would have to go the extra-time again if they were to achieve glory. Then, in the 116' minute, Kun got the ball at the edge of the box, used his strength to out-muscle the Fulham defender, he then composed himself and picked out Forlán in the centre, who clipped it in. 2-1. Heartache for Fulham made for Spanish ecstasy. Campeones (Champions). Kun's first big trophy with his first European club, lovely.

Shortly after their Europa League success, Atleti had a Copa del Rey final against Sevilla to prepare for. They fell short, losing 2-0 in the Camp Nou. Despite this brief disappointment, they now had the Supercopa (Super Cup) to get ready for. A chance for more glory. In the Super Cup they faced UCL winners, Inter Milan, in Monaco. Kun and Diego started up top, as they always did. Instead of Forlán firing on all cylinders, others in the Atleti side stepped up. The late, José Antonio Reyes (D.E.P- Descansa en Paz, RIP), netted in the 62' minute as he battled through the defence, then Kun secured the cup win in the 83' minute with a close range finish. It capped a great season for Atleti with success that had not been seen in a long time. Kun was at the heart of it.

Source: mundod.lavoz.com.ar

The end of the Madrid journey

The 2010/11 season was Kun's last in the Spanish capital. It was a strange final season, which saw him named vice capitán in January 2011. At this time, the winner of the Europa League was not yet a route into the following season's UCL campaign. So they had to try defend their title in Europe, whilst competing with La Liga. However, hungover with the success of the season before, Atleti flattered to deceive. Knocked-out at the Europa League group stage and finishing 7th in La Liga, it was an underwhelming season for the club. Not for our Kun, though, he was on fire. Marcó (he scored) 20 times in the league and topped the club's scoring charts with 27 for the season. His continued scoring prowess did not go unnoticed by other European clubs. Kun himself knew this and asked to be allowed to leave in the summer window to challenge himself in a new league. The board reluctantly agreed and Manchester City won the race for his signature, the fee was £35 million. The Atleti fans were hurt, but Kun got his wish and the Premier League now beckoned.

Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk

When he left Madrid, Falcao replaced him and did a great job in giving Atleti a new talismán (talisman). Over in sunny Manchester, Kun would go on to become one of the greatest strikers to grace the Premier League. He led City to heights they never dreamed of going only a few years prior to his arrival. From that 'Agüero moment' against QPR, which gave City their first Premier League title on the final day of the 2011/12, to the key performances he put in week-in week-out, he captured the hearts of many fans. Now, as he leaves Man City, with 5 Premier League titles (which look likely to become 6 at the end of next month), 1 Fa Cup, 5 EFL cups (again possible to become 6 in a few weeks) and 3 Community shields; Kun will leave having achieved so much. From his breakthrough at Atleti, he arguably became Man City's most important signing ever. But, he would not have reached that importance had it not have been for his time in Madrid and the lessons he learned there. On behalf of all lovers of football, gracias Kun.

Enjoy your Semana Santa (Easter) with a LaLiga memory of Kun's time at Atleti