Sergio Aguero: 'I did not know who Lionel Messi was'

Sergio Aguero has revealed that he failed to recognise Lionel Messi when he first saw his Argentine compatriot at the 2005 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in the Netherlands.

The Manchester City striker recalls how he had failed to notice the media coverage that the 25-year-old was receiving at the time.

"We were talking about shoes, and then he said something," Aguero told DirectTV Sports. "He said his name was Lionel, and I asked, what about the surname?

"He said 'Messi', and then repeated, 'Messi'. I still did not know who he was. Then I read that there was a Messi who was emerging in the team.

"Messi cried with laughter and still cries with laughter when he recalls it. I was 17. Then it was cool between us."

Aguero and Messi shared a room during the tournament and helped Argentina win the competition.