Kun Agüero's surname story surfaces ahead of World Cup 2026 final against Spain

As Argentina approaches the World Cup 2026 final against Spain, stories surrounding the idols who guided the Albiceleste emerge. One such story, shared by Sergio "Kun" Agüero, explains why he bears his mother's surname instead of his father's, Castillo.

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Many ask me why I'm called Kun Agüero and not Kun Castillo, which is my old man's surname. The short answer is simple: he forgot.

Agüero recounted that his parents, originally from Tucumán, moved to Buenos Aires seeking better opportunities. His father, then 18 and aspiring to be a footballer, could not register his son under his surname due to a rule requiring parents to be over 21. "At the hospital, they told them: 'Then he goes with the mother's surname.' And that's how I was registered as Agüero," the former striker explained.

The opportunity to change his surname arose again when Agüero was 18 or 19 and playing in Spain. However, he decided against it, citing the immense hassle of changing passports and documents. "I told him it made no sense: go back to Argentina, redo passport, papers, documents… a huge mess. It wasn't a lack of recognition, it was practicality. It was already done. With Agüero, it was fine. And so it remained forever," he concluded.

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At the hospital, they told them: 'Then he goes with the mother's surname.' And that's how I was registered as Agüero.

Sergio Leonel Agüero del Castillo, the name that ultimately stuck, forged a prolific career. He debuted in professional Argentine football at 15, becoming the youngest player to do so, surpassing Diego Maradona's record. After a successful stint at Atlético Madrid, he became a legend at Manchester City, where he is the club's all-time leading scorer.

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I told him it made no sense: go back to Argentina, redo passport, papers, documents… a huge mess. It wasn't a lack of recognition, it was practicality. It was already done. With Agüero, it was fine. And so it remained forever.