Sergio Aguero will put friendship with Lionel Messi on hold during Champions League pursuit

Manchester City striker, who plays alongside Messi with the Argentina national team, comes up against his compatriot when European football’s elite club competition reconvenes next month, reports John McAuley.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero speaks after a training session in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Sarah Dea / The National

ABU DHABI // Sergio Aguero said his friendship with Lionel Messi will count for nothing when the two players meet in the Uefa Champions League next month.

The Manchester City striker, who plays alongside Messi with the Argentina national team, comes up against his compatriot and good friend when European football’s elite club competition reconvenes at the last-16 stage.

City have been drawn to face Barcelona across two legs, with the first to take place at the Etihad Stadium on February 24. The return fixture comes two weeks later, at the Nou Camp on March 18.

Aguero, in Abu Dhabi this week as City enjoy a warm-weather training camp, is well aware of the threat Messi poses, having both been members of the senior Argentina squad since 2006.

Messi, a three-time Ballon d’Or winner and the highest scorer in Champions League history, is an obvious obstacle to City next month as the English champions seek to progress to the quarter-finals for the first time.

Barcelona, conversely, have been crowned champions of Europe four times, most recently in 2011. The two sides met at the same stage last year, with Barcelona advancing 4-1 on aggregate.

“It is a very important game for me,” said Aguero, the former Atletico Madrid forward. “I will meet a great friend of mine off the pitch, but the second we step on it the friendliness disappears.

“The match is not just important for me, but for the whole team. The club is investing a lot to get to the highest level in the Champions League. We cannot underestimate the fact it will be a tough game.”

City will be strengthened for that tie by the presence of Wilfried Bony, the Ivorian forward, who signed last week from Swansea City in a deal worth up to £28 million (Dh156m). He will join up with his new teammates after the African Cup of Nations.

Aguero said he expected his new strike partner will need little time to settle as Bony, 26, was the English Premier League’s top scorer in 2014, with 20 goals. This season, he has found the net nine times in 20 appearances.

“We’re always very happy when we get new players,” Aguero said. “The idea is always that this is done in the spirit of improving the overall performance of the team.

“Since Wilfried has been playing in England, he should be able to take the pressure of competing in the Premier League. So he will be a very good signing. We’re very thankful for this.”

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