Manchester, England – The football world plunged into mourning late Sunday when a viral hoax claimed Manchester City legend Sergio “Kun” Agüero, 37, had tragically passed away from complications related to his 2021 heart arrhythmia diagnosis. Social media erupted with tributes – #RIPAgüero trended globally, amassing 5.2 million posts in hours – as fans, former teammates, and even rivals poured out grief. Lionel Messi, Agüero’s Argentina comrade and 2022 World Cup celebration buddy, was among the first to react, booking an emergency flight from Miami with a tearful IG Story: “Kun, my brother – gone too soon. The fight ends, but your legacy scores forever.”
By dawn Monday, Messi touched down at Manchester Airport, flanked by ex-Barça stars like Ángel Di María and Nicolás Tagliafico, all bound for a rumored vigil at the Etihad Stadium. City icons David Silva and Vincent Kompany joined the convoy, cars snaking through rainy streets lined with sky-blue scarves. “We came to honor the king of the Etihad,” Messi whispered to reporters, eyes red. The convoy halted at Agüero’s Cheshire home – balloons deflating, flowers wilting in the drizzle – only for the doors to swing open. There stood Kun himself, alive, bewildered, and cracking a wry grin: “What the hell? You lot flew in for a fake funeral?”
The truth? A cruel internet hoax, the latest in a string of celebrity death scams plaguing 2025. A bogus Facebook page – “R.I.P. Sergio Agüero” – racked nearly a million “likes” with a fabricated tale of a sudden collapse during a charity stream. Agüero’s reps blasted it as “reckless and hurtful,” confirming he’s thriving post-retirement: streaming FIFA, welcoming daughter Olivia in 2024, and starring in his Disney+ doc Kun by Agüero. “Heart issues? Yeah, but I’m here, scoring pixels not penalties,” he joked in a hasty TikTok, hugging Messi amid laughter and relief.
X flipped from despair to delight. #AgüeroHoax trended with 2.8 million posts, memes splicing Kun’s iconic 2012 QPR screamer with zombie revivals: “Died and rose like Jesus – City’s true messiah!” Messi, wiping sweat, posted a group selfie: “Scared me straight. Kun’s immortal. Drinks on me.” Kompany quipped: “Flew from Belgium for nothing? Worth it for the hug.”
The scare hit hard for Agüero, who retired at 33 after Barcelona’s medical nightmare. “Fans’ love? Overwhelming. But hoaxes? Sick,” he told Sky Sports later, vowing anti-misinfo PSAs. City plans a “Hoax Awareness” match; Messi pledged $1M to heart research.
From fake graves to grateful embraces, Agüero’s “resurrection” reminds: In football’s frenzy, truth scores highest. Kun’s not done – he’s just warming up. Who’s pranking next? The beautiful game weeps, then roars. Hold your heroes tight – they’re not going anywhere.
