Both are long-time legends with their clubs as well as the record goal-scorers; both wear the coveted No.10 shirts for their teams and both are talisman figures for their legions of fans.
But the similarities don’t end there.
Messi and Aguero of two of Argentina’s greatest exports and between them, they have won 217 caps for La Albiceleste.and scored a combined 104 goals – yet neither feature for their country in the latest squad named by Lionel Scaloni.
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Messi is on something of an international hiatus, neither confirming his international retirement or denying it – though he hasn’t played for his country since the World Cup last summer.
He may be recharging his batteries or maybe considering focusing on Barcelona – time will tell.
Aguero, however, has not been called up for the past two squads – a mystifying move - in the eyes of City fans, who, justifiably, believe Kun is playing his best football yet.
Of course, the real winners are the clubs both play for, with less chance of fatigue or injury, but with 89 caps, Sergio would surely like to reach the 100-mark at some stage.
Age-wise, Messi is almost a calendar year older than Sergio, who is one of his closest friends and his international room-mate.
So, how are the pair fairing stats-wise this campaign?
We compare two of South America’s greatest exports and their form this season…
Games:
Messi 13, Aguero 15
Messi injured his arm against Sevilla, meaning he missed several games for Barca, while Aguero has enjoyed full fitness this campaign - therefore, he has played more games than Messi so far.
Minutes:
Messi 961, Aguero 1,091
Sergio has 130 minutes more than Messi this campaign, due to Messi’s arm injury.
Goals:
Messi 14, Aguero 11
Both prolific scorers at club level, Messi already has 14 goals from his 12 games, while Sergio has bagged an impressive 11 so far from 15 – none from the penalty spot.
Assists:
Messi 5, Aguero 4
Sergio is pushing Messi close this season as he looks for his best ever assists tally. Currently on four, Messi – traditionally one of Europe’s assist kings, has just one more with five to date.
Shots per game:
Messi 4.8, Aguero 3.8
It’s a measure of Messi’s potency in front of goal and the freedom he has within the Barca team that he averages 4.8 shots per game, while Sergio has a healthy 3.8. In both cases, most times they shoot, it results in a goal.
Pass percentage:
Messi 82.9%, Aguero 86.8%
This is a stat that will please Pep Guardiola no end.
Sergio has a better pass completion rate that Messi, with 86.8% to the Barcelona star’s 82.9%.
There’s no conclusion to be reached between Messi and Aguero, other than they would walk into every other national team on the planet – Argentina, when it comes to strikers, are truly blessed.
