Argentina's Sergio Aguero is a legend in the making

By John F. Molinaro, CBCSports.ca

Maradona. Juan Ramon Riquelme. Javier Saviola. Carlos Tevez. Lionel Messi.

The list of Argentine players who first made their mark at FIFA U-20 World Cup is endless.

And now, one more can be added: Sergio Aguero.

Aguero, 19, is the top scorer in this summer's U-20 World Cup at the end of the second round, tied with Spain's Adrian Lopez with five goals.

Sergio Aguero is Argentina's ace in the hole. (Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)

Though he's scored some magnificent goals in Canada, none was more spectacular than the two he potted in Argentina's 3-1 win over Poland on Thursday to send the South American powerhouse to the quarter-finals.

With the game tied 1-1, Aguero notched Argentina's second goal on a fantastic individual effort in the 46th minute.

Aguero, who plays in Spain with Atletico Madrid, spun around on the edge of the penalty box while playing the ball over his head, then effortlessly slid between two dumbfounded Polish defenders and hammered a driving shot into the back of the net.

The highlight-reel goal was reminiscent of Paul Gascoigne's legendary strike score for England against Scotland at Euro '96.

Aguero was at it again in the 86th minute, pouncing on an error inside the box by Polish defender Krysztof Strugarek and rounding goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski before flicking the ball into the empty net.

'I just did it,' Aguero says of goal

"It was just a matter of reacting fast," Aguero said of his second goal. "I didn't think about it, I just did it."

Both goals showed why Aguero is considered one of the top young forwards in the game: the first demonstrated his creative genius, the second his patience in front of the goal.

The beauty and grace with which the young Argentine scored left an indelible impression on his coach.

"Both goals were great," Hugo Tocalli told reporters after the game. "He's a quality player who makes a difference, the type of player coaches dream of having in their team."

Aguero was a child prodigy, making his pro debut with Independiente in 2003 when he was only 15 years and 35 days old, breaking the record previously held by Maradona for the youngest player to ever appear in Argentina's first division.

Makes impressive Spanish start

Aguero spent the better part of three years with Independiente, scoring 23 goals in 53 appearances, but like so many young South American players, he became the transfer target of wealthy European clubs looking to bolster their roster.

Several teams knocked on Independiente's door with offers, but in the end, Atletico Madrid tabled a $36-million US bid in May 2006, beating out German side Bayern Munich for the services of the Argentine ace.

It was a staggering amount of money to pay for Aguero, who at the time was only 17, but the young Argentine impressed in his first season in Spain, bagging six goals in 38 appearances.

There was talk that the young Atletico Madrid star would be named to Argentina's roster for last year's World Cup Germany. But former coach Jose Pekerman overlooked the young star, prompting no less of soccer authority than Maradona to tell the Argentine press that Aguero was just as talented as FC Barcelona standout Lionel Messi - he just wasn't as well known.

Aguero won't ever have that problem again if he can lead Argentina to an unprecedented sixth world youth title in Canada. And chances are good that he'll be wearing Argentina's famous baby blue and white jersey at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.