Sergio Aguero scores on his return in the Kings League before copying Lionel Messi’s celebration

Sergio Aguero scored on his return to football, before copying his close friend Lionel Messi’s celebration to mark his goal, having retired from football in 2021 following a cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis. 

The ex-Argentina international got on the scoresheet for his own Kings League franchise KuniSports in their penalty shoot-out defeat to Porcinos FC, before making for the corner flag and replicating Messi’s hands-behind-the-ears pose. 

It was revealed Aguero would be making a one-off return to football this month after receiving an all-clear for Ecuador’s Barcelona SC, but appeared to bring himself up to speed in the Kings League, which sent social media into a meltdown as fans tried to work out who the ‘masked winger’ was. 

The ex-Argentina striker picked up the ball outside the box before finding the back of the net to equalise

With his side 2-1 down to Porcinos – helmed by one of Spain’s biggest Twitch streamers Ibai Llanos – Aguero grabbed the equaliser. 

Aguero was announced as the leader of KuniSports in the Kings League 

Receiving a pass on his chest, the 34-year-old took a touch out of his feet before firing a left-footed shot into the bottom corner with a finish that Manchester City fans will be well used to. 

The forward then rushed to celebrate with his team-mates near the halfway line, before taking the opportunity to replicate his close friend’s celebration. 

He ran towards the corner, where he then stood with both hands behind his ears right in front of the Porcinos FC box. 

Messi notably did the celebration during the World Cup win over Holland at the Lusail Stadium, aiming it at manager Louis van Gaal. 

It is thought that the gesture was in reaction to Van Gaal’s poor managing of Argentine legend Juan Riquelme during his time at Barcelona, where he was often benched and played out of position. 

Messi celebrated with his hands behind his ears against Holland in the 2022 World Cup

Riquelme was known for cupping his ears with his hands after scoring, which could be a possible inspiration for the pose.  

Gerard Pique’s latest brain child the Kings League sees 12 seven-aside teams fight for a championship, with teams led by a mixture of former professionals, Twitch streamers and internet personalities.

But despite grabbing the all-important equaliser, Aguero was unable to inspire his side to victory, and in fact missed his penalty in the resulting shoot-out after his effort hit the woodwork.  

Aguero was forced to retire in 2021 after just five games for new club Barcelona due to a cardiac arryhthmia diagnosis