"I kicked the ball and, poor pigeon," the San Lorenzo defender said.

"Now I will be remembered as the pigeon killer."

Aguirre hit the bird in the 2-1 victory against Tigre in a three-team round-robin for the Argentine league title.

Surrounded by opponents, he kicked the ball toward the goal and in the direction of a group of pigeons on the grass near the corner.

A burst of feathers followed and the pigeons flew away - except one.

Several players surrounded the wounded bird as it tried to fly away but it collapsed.

Referee Saul Laverni then scooped up the dead pigeon and placed it off the field.