'Pleasure and pride to play with Messi': Sergio Aguero unveiled as Barcelona player - in pictures

Argentine hopes to play with compatriot at Camp Nou for a considerable period

Former Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero at Camp Nou during his official unveiling as a Barcelona player on Monday, May 31, 2021. AFP

Barcelona have signed Argentinian forward Sergio Aguero on a deal until 2023. AFP

Barcelona present new signing Sergio Aguero at Camp Nou on Monday. Reuters

Sergio Aguero is presented as a Barcelona player. Getty

Barcelona's new signing Sergio Aguero poses during his presentation. Reuters

Sergio Aguero has signed a two-year deal at Barcelona. Reuters

Sergio Aguero at Camp Nou. Getty

Barcelona's new signing Sergio Aguero at his unveiling at Camp Nou. Reuters

Former Manchester City player Sergio Aguero during his official presentation as Barcelona player. AFP

Barcelona's new signing Sergio Aguero is looking forward to teaming up with Lionel Messi and is hopeful his Argentina teammate will remain at the club for the foreseeable future.

Aguero and Messi have shared the dressing room with the national team for many years, but this will be the first time they will be together at the club level.

It is unclear whether Messi will remain at Camp Nou, but Aguero is optimistic they will be together for a long time.

"I talk to Leo every day and he sent me a congratulatory message. Now that I will have him every day it will be much easier," Aguero was quoted as saying by the Press Association at his unveiling.

"What happens with Leo will be the decision of the club but it is a pleasure and a pride to play with Leo.

"If he continues, which I think he will, I will try to give everything as he has always done."

Aguero has signed a two-year deal with a buy-out clause of €100 million ($122m). The forward said Barca was his sole target once he knew he was leaving Premier League champions Manchester City.

"I didn't even hesitate. I didn't want someone else to talk to me, just Barca," he said.

"[Pep] Guardiola, when we won the Premier League, he told me 'you're going to the best team in the world'.

"For me, since I was a child – and now also because Leo is here – this is the greatest team. As a boy I said one day they will surely notice me and here I am."

Aguero is expected to be the first of a number of arrivals at Camp Nou this summer as new president Joan Laporta aims to revamp the squad. Barcelona had a disappointing season, finishing third in La Liga and falling in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Aguero's City teammate Eric Garcia is seen as a prominent transfer target, as are Dutch duo Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum.