'I would be thinking, 'sh*t'!' - Sergio Aguero admits not knowing English at all during Man City spell as he thanks homegrown players for 'defending' him

The Argentine joined City in 2011 and was an immediate star for the Premier League side, scoring the first of 184 goals in the English top flight on his debut as he became the fifth top scorer in the division's history - until Mohamed Salah overtook him recently.

Aguero, 36, spent 10 years with the Etihad Stadium club, leaving to join Barcelona in 2021 before being forced to retire due to a heart issue, but he admits he had a difficult time picking up the language as he did not have a teacher.

He told The Guardian: "I didn’t know any English at all. Pablo Zabaleta helped me a lot. David Silva was there, Yaya Toure, [Carlos] Tevez. When I sat on the English table, I would be thinking: ‘Sh*t.’ They would say: ‘Come, sit down.’ I would listen and, bit by bit, without ever picking up a pencil or having a teacher, I would get it. The English boys were very good with me. They treated me well, defended me. My biggest concern anyway was on the pitch. And I ended up quite good."

The ex-Atletico Madrid forward was forced to retire shortly after he returned to Spain to join Barcelona, having been diagnosed with heart problems. He bowed out of the game a five-time Premier League champion and a Europa League winner. He also won the Copa America with Argentina in 2021 and reached the World Cup final in 2014. A documentary about the City legend was released on Disney+ this week.