Atletico Madrid President Calls Sergio Aguero’s Transfer To Manchester City ‘Stupid’

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has called Argentine forward Sergio Aguero “stupid” for his 2011 transfer from the Spanish club to his current team, Manchester City. 

Atletico President Enrique Cerezo Criticizes Sergio Aguero’s Move to Man City

“[Aguero] has been the only player who left Atleti under a cloud, as he was stupid,” Cerezo told El Partidazo de COPE, according to ESPN FC’s Dermot Corrigan. “He arrived as a hero, and he left through the back door.”

Cerezo later clarified his comments, saying he meant to call his former player’s decision “stupid,” rather than Aguero himself.

The Atletico president’s remarks come amid speculation of Aguero’s future at City following the emergence of Brazilian star Gabriel Jesus, who has scored three goals in his first two Premier League games.

Manager Pep Guardiola has started Aguero on the bench in both their visit to West Ham and their home match against Swansea City, thus raising questions regarding whether the Argentine may be sold next summer.

However, City insist the Argentine, who is just 23 goals short of becoming the the team’s all-time record goalscorer, will not be sold, although Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are surveilling the situation.

One of Aguero’s latest comments suggests he remains uncertain about how much longer he will be with City.

“I have to help the team as much as I can in these three months, afterwards we’ll see what the club wants to do with me,” he said.

Corrigan also reported that Aguero joined City in a £38.8 million ($48 million) move in 2011, considerably less than the £52 million ($65 million) the English club wanted for him.

Corrigan added that “the saga dragged on for two months amid a widespread feeling that the player had tried to force through a move to crosstown rivals Real Madrid.”

Aguero, 28, arrived at Atletico from Independiente in 2006 and scored 101 goals in 233 appearances for the La Liga club.

Atletico have seen several other talented players leave in recent years, like Fernando Torres, Radamel Falcao and Diego Costa, although none of those seemed to have exited the club in a way that angered Cerezo.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 28: Sergio Aguero of Manchester City is challenged by Winston Reid of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at Etihad Stadium on August 28, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images)