Exclusive: Sergio Aguero reveals message to Manchester City squad ahead of 2023 Champions League Final | OneFootball

Sergio Aguero has opened up on his pre-match conversations with the Manchester City squad ahead of their historic 2023 UEFA Champions League Final.

As one of the most iconic figures in the club’s modern era, Aguero remained closely connected to the squad following his retirement, particularly stepping into one key moment as a source of inspiration and support.

His presence around the team ahead of the Istanbul final was not only welcomed but seen as a symbolic reminder of the journey that had brought City to the brink of completing the treble. Having been part of previous Champions League near-misses, Aguero added an extra layer of motivation to the group.

The build-up carried an intensity unlike any other occasion in the Pep Guardiola era. City had fallen short in 2021 against Chelsea – a loss that weighed heavily on senior players. Those memories were a driving force in Istanbul, and Aguero’s words served as both reassurance and responsibility.

By the time the squad reached their final training session, attention had shifted entirely onto the tactical details and mental calm required to face Inter. It was during this period Aguero joined the group, reconnecting and delivering a simple but heartfelt message.

Speaking exclusively to City Xtra on behalf of Stake, Sergio Aguero has looked back on the 2023 UEFA Champions League Final in Istanbul, and specifically what he told the squad as he joined them prior to matchday for their last training session ahead of the contest.

“I was lucky to be in Istanbul for the final. I commented the match for Disney+ and I was able to speak with the boys,” Aguero said.

He continued, “I simply wished them the best because I knew they were facing a great opportunity. We had let the title slip against Chelsea in 2021 and that experience was surely going to help. And it did.

“It was a tight game, played with a lot of intensity, and City were deserved winners. Afterwards, it was about congratulating them for what they had achieved. I felt very happy about that accomplishment.”

In the years since that night in Istanbul, Aguero’s role as an unofficial ambassador for the club has strengthened, and his reflections on the final highlight just how deeply he remains connected to Manchester City and the players who achieved greatness.

Looking ahead, Aguero’s presence is likely to continue, particularly as the squad evolves and younger players come to understand the club’s modern history through figures like him. With future Champions League campaigns carrying immense expectation, voices from the past may continue to provide crucial grounding when pressure peaks.

And with City firmly established as perennial contenders in Europe, supporters will wonder whether Sergio Aguero might again appear behind the scenes during future finals.