It’s one of the great mysteries in football; just how has a nation like Argentina, responsible for some of game’s greatest-ever players, gone so long without winning a major trophy?
The Copa America in 1993 was the last time La Albiceleste were able to lift a trophy and since then there has been a series of false dawn after false dawn.
Of course, the World Cup is a competition with such a breadth of quality, up to eight teams can be considered credible contenders every four years.
But their failure in their ‘home tournament’ is perhaps the most alarming. A pair of runners-up finishes in 2004 and 2007 have been surrounded by a sea of quarter-
final disappointments.
With Colombia awaiting on Friday, yet another last-eight exit is a worrying prospect. Sergio Aguero will be out to fire them into the semi-finals and he sat down with Sport360 to discuss underachievement, Messi, Falcao and his future with Manchester City…
How would you rate Argentina’s Copa America so far?
It has been good, but we have to be careful not to rate anything now. It is a very strong last eight, we have a tough game against Colombia, and if we progress from that it is sure to be another very tough game.
What do you think the the team have done well, and where do you think you need to improve?
The game against Paraguay was a reminder that we need to keep the concertation until the end. It was a game we should have won.
How much pressure is on this group of players to deliver a trophy, especially after reaching the World Cup final and is it fair?
There is always pressure on Argentina because of the history and quality we have, but yes the World Cup final hurt the players and the nation and we are desperate for success.
It’s 22 years since Argentina won a trophy, yet have produced some of the best players in the world, why do you think this is?
I don’t know, the teams we have had since then have had the quality to win tournaments, but sometimes you need some luck as well. We came very close in Brazil, and now we want to go one better in Chile.
We played, we fought and we deservedly won the derby. Very happy about the victory. Let’s keep it going! C’mon, Argentina!
— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) June 17, 2015
There is always focus on you and Lionel Messi and how you play together. There has been criticism you don’t work as a partnership. How do you react to that?
No reaction at all, our love for Argentina is great and we are so hungry for success with the national team. We always give it everything.
Your next opponents are Colombia… that is a very tough quarter-final to have. What was your reaction when you discovered you were playing them?
They have some world class players, and it is not going to be an easy game at all. They have real quality, but you have to expect that at this stage of the tournament.
Very happy with my new #evoSPEED from @PUMAFootball, ready to take them to the field! pic.twitter.com/IrvjaFCD6U
— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) June 24, 2015
We have to be focused, they have a lot of creativity in midfield and it is the job of the whole team to try and stop that threat.
Falcao has been struggling for form and goals, as a fellow striker do you have sympathy?
He didn’t have an easy time last season, but when you have class like he does it is permanent.
As a striker you might wait a long time for one goal, but if you get that goal it can lead to many more.
Over his career he has been a predator in front of goal, and that is a natural instinct. I am sure that he is going to find the form that we are used to seeing him have again,
I know it’s only June but are you looking forward to next season?
At the moment all the focus is on Argentina, but yes I am excited to go and challenge for trophies with Manchester City again next season.
How determined are you and your fellow players at City to put things right after last season?
There is a lot of determination at the club, we know that with the players we have that we should be winning something every season.
What will City have to do to reclaim the league title?
It is down to consistency, you are going to go through a time when as a team you are not playing so well, but it is usually the team that still gets points during that period that wins the title.
Real Madrid are a club seemingly always ‘interested’ in signing Sergio Aguero. Do you pay much attention to this?
I don’t pay attention at all. I am trying to win a tournament with Argentina and have expressed how happy I am at Manchester City, there is nothing more for me to say.
