SERGIO AGUERO’S last minute goal to win Manchester City the 2012 title was the most iconic moment in Premier League history.
But what has happened to the Argentine’s team-mates including maverick stars Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli in the nearly nine years that have passed since?
Man City’s 2012 title winning starting XI
Sergio Aguero’s title winning goal is the Premier League’s most iconic momentCredit: Manchester City FC – Getty
Roberto Mancini and Carlos Tevez pictured with the Premier League trophyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
City looked destined to miss out on their first ever Premier League title as they trailed 2-1 at home to relegation threatened QPR after 90 minutes play on May 13, 2012.
Pablo Zabaleta gave Roberto Mancini’s men the lead on 39 minutes before the Londoners battled back through Djibril Cisse and Jamie Mackie who scored either side of Joey Barton’s red card for the visitors.
But somehow, after Edin Dzeko’s header gave City the faintest glimmer of hope in the 92nd minute, Aguero got on the end of Balotelli’s pass inside the penalty box.
As bitter rivals Manchester United waited with baited breath at Sunderland to see if their win was enough, the Argentine superstar lashed the ball past Paddy Kenny in the 94th minute triggering scenes of total bedlam in the stadium.
Martin Tyler screamed ‘AGUEEEEERRRRROOOOOOO’ to millions watching at home as the Argentine wheeled away in ecstasy twirling his shirt around his head.
But there were 13 other City stars who played that day and many more throughout the season so here SunSport reveals what has happened to them since.
Starting XI
JOE HART
The former England goalkeeper spent six more years between the sticks at the Etihad before being bombed out by Pep Guardiola when the Spaniard took over in 2016.
He spent two uninspiring loan spells at Torino and West Ham before moving to Burnley in 2018.
But the 33-year-old – who earned his 75th and last England cap in 2017 – also struggled for game time at Turf Moor.
He now finds himself backup keeper at Tottenham where he has been since the end of last season.
Joe Hart is still considered a City legendCredit: Getty Images – Getty
PABLO ZABALETA
Opened the scoring in the historic game against QPR and will forever be adored in Manchester for several world class campaigns during his nine years with the club.
Played for West Ham for three years after his 2017 departure and retired officially on October 16, 2020.
Is working on his coaching badges in a bid to go into management.
Pablo Zabaleta scored the opening goal of the game against QPRCredit: Reuters
VINCENT KOMPANY
Few men will be revered as much as Kompany for generations to come at Man City.
Their iconic captain led the club with aplomb on and off the pitch until he left for Anderlecht in 2019.
Initially signed on a player-coach basis, the 34-year-old is now manager of the Belgian side.
Captain Vincent Kompany lifted City’s first ever Premier League trophyCredit: PA:Press Association
JOLEON LESCOTT
Having arrived from Everton in 2009, the centre-back appeared 31 times during the historic 11-12 season.
Eventually left for West Brom in 2014 before spending time with Aston Villa, AEK Athens, Sunderland before hanging up the boots in 2017.
Was involved in a bizarre story where Spanish club Racing Murcia claimed they had signed him to play in a cup game in November 2020.
But he never turned out for the fourth tier side and is now mainly known for his punditry work on Sky Sports.
GAEL CLICHY
A stalwart in the title winning campaign of 11-12 – his first with City after eight years at Arsenal.
The Frenchman, 35, went on to win more silverware with City before he left in 2017 for Istanbul Basaksehir.
Left-back Clichy is currently with Swiss Super League side Servette who he joined earlier this month on an 18-month deal.
Roberto Mancini led his team of stars to gloryCredit: PA:Empics Sport
SAMIR NASRI
Another man who played the best football of his career at City after joining from Arsenal.
The French midfielder is often under-rated and instead remembered for the ‘drip-doctor’ scandal and his subsequent 12-month Uefa ban.
But the midfielder’s performances on the pitch are fondly recalled by City fans.
Not so by fans of West Ham who Nasri joined in 2019 – impressing no one in a spell that fell between time at Sevilla, Antalyaspor and Anderlecht.
Currently a free-agent after being axed by former team-mate Kompany’s side for flying to Dubai without contacting his club.
YAYA TOURE
One of the finest players in Premier League history without a doubt.
The Ivorian genius was the perfect combination of power, pace and ability and was an integral part of City’s golden period of success.
Former Barcelona man is currently playing in China for Qingdao Huanghai after a spell at Olympiacos.
Yaya Toure is one of the greatest players in Premier League historyCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
GARETH BARRY
Mr Reliable holds the record for the most Premier League appearances of any player with 653.
The holding midfielder played 31 times in 11-12.
Former England international Barry left City in 2013 for Everton – initially on loan before a permanent move in 2014.
He stayed at Goodison Park before leaving for West Brom in 2017 where he eventually retired at the end of the 2019-20 campaign.
DAVID SILVA
The 34-year-old mercurial Spaniard only left City at the end of last season after ten glorious years.
He won four Premier Leagues, two FA Cups and five League cups.
And his almost telepathic link with Sergio Aguero saw the two rip teams apart season after season. Playing with Spanish side Real Sociedad.
David Silva only left City last summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
CARLOS TEVEZ
Tevez, 36, did something few players have ever done and played for both City and United.
He spent four years at Old Trafford after bursting onto the scene at West Ham in the 06-07 season.
But he made the controversial switch to United’s bitter rivals in 2009.
The Argentine scored 73 times in 148 City appearances before transferring to Juventus in 2013.
He stayed with the Serie A giants for two years before returning to his beloved Boca Juniors where he remains today.
Tevez did make a temporary switch to Shanghai Shenhua in 2017 – which he admitted was just for the money – but he went straight back to La Bombonera where he plans to retire.
Carlos Tevez is now Boca Juniors captain and splits opinion in Manchester despite his huge talentCredit: EPA
SERGIO AGUERO
The Argentine is the only member of the QPR matchday squad who still plays for City.
Aguero, 32, was forced to change his game when Guardiola arrived but he quickly implemented the pressing style into his game and will go down as one of the best players – if not THE best – to ever grace the Premier League.
The Argentina international has played 378 games for City, managed a staggering 256 goals and seems to be going nowhere.
Sergio Aguero is one of few stars still playing for CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Reserves
COSTEL PANTILIMON
The Romanian did not feature at all in the Premier League during the 2012 title winning campaign.
Has played for Sunderland, Watford and Nottingham Forest in England since and is currently with Turkish club Denizlispor.
MICAH RICHARDS
City fan favoruite was a semi-regular in 11-12 making 23 league starts.
Left on loan in 2014 to Fiorentina before a permanent departure to Aston Villa in 2015 after ten years with City.
Has become an elite pundit with his easy going demeanor, infectious laugh and high level analysis.
ALEKSANDAR KOLAROV
The Serbian left-back started just nine games in 11-12 but spent five more years in Manchester – reaching 247 total games in blue.
Spent three years at Roma from 2017 and has played six games for Inter Milan since joining at the start of this season.
City’s 2012 title win was one of the most memorable in Premier League historyCredit: AFP
JAMES MILNER
Jokingly nicknamed Mr Boring, Milner has been utilised as an elite versatility man for the last ten years since he joined City in 2010.
Left for Liverpool in 2015 where he remains.
Has won three Premier Leagues, one Champions League, one FA Cup and one League Cup.
NIGEL DE JONG
Dutch midfielder is probably most famous for his karate kick on Xabi Alonso in the 2010 World Cup final.
The 11-12 season proved to be his last with City after his 2009 arrival.
Has played for AC Milan, La Galaxy, Galatasaray, Mainz and Al Ahli since.
And he is currently playing for Qatari club Al-Shahaniya.
MARIO BALOTELLI
The 30-year-old ‘why always me’ renegade splits opinion across the football world.
An undoubted talent but lacked the work rate and attitude to stay consistent at the top level.
Left City in 2013 and has played for AC Milan, Liverpool, Nice, Marseille, Brescia and Monza – who he joined on December 7, 2020.
Monza’s owner revealed this week the striker is drinking in the Last Chance Saloon after joining with the ‘best intentions’.
Maverick star Mario Balotelli set up Aguero’s winner but blew hot and cold for City and has failed to impress sinceCredit: PA:Press Association
EDIN DZEKO
Came off the bench to score the equaliser against QPR.
The Bosnian was predominantly used as a backup striker during his five years with City from 2011-16.
He did have spells as No 1 but he has found game time much easier to come by since moving to Roma in 2015 where he remains.
Mario Balotelli joins new team mates at Monza for Christmas celebrations
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
