Sergio Aguero has officially retired from professional football due to a heart-related health condition which he has been battling since October 2021.
The football career of the 33-year-old Argentine football star hit the brick wall on October 30, 2021, when he complained of difficulty in breathing during a Serie A game between Barcelona and Alaves.
He had to be substituted in the first half of the league match which ended in a 1-1 draw. Afterward, Sergio Aguero was taken to the hospital where he was diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).
Since then, he has not been able to return to training and competitive football. Initially, when reports surfaced that his heart condition would force him to retire, the former Manchester City striker took to social media to debunk the report.
However, on Tuesday, December 14, Futballnews reported that the Argentine football icon would announce his retirement today, December 15, 2021, which he did at the Camp Nou.
During the press conference, Sergio Aguero could not hold back his tears as he revealed that he decided to stop playing football because of his health.
“This conference is to communicate that I have decided to stop playing football”, the Manchester City all time highest goalscorer said.
“It is a very difficult moment. The decision I have made I have taken for my health, that is the main reason, because of the problem that I had a month-and-a-half ago.
“I was in good hands of the medical staff who have done their best and have told me the best thing would be to stop playing
“So I made that decision about a week ago and I want to tell everyone I did everything possible to have hope, but there wasn’t very much.”
The genesis of the football career of Sergio Aguero and his achievements
Sergio Aguero started his football career at an Argentine football team, Independiente in 1997. From there, he crossed to Europe when he signed for a Spanish La Liga club, Atletico Madrid in 2006.
The football icon was just 18-year-old when he started his professional football career in mainstream Europe. He played 230 times for Atletico Madrid in which he scored 100 goals and provided 45 assists.
He helped the Spanish club to win UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup before he joined Premier League side Manchester City in 2011.
Before he left Atletico Madrid, the retired Argentina international won the Golden Boy and the World Soccer Young Player of the Year awards.
Sergio Aguero had the best of his football career at Manchester City. He played for the Premier League club 390 times in all competitions in which he scored 260 goals.
He scored a whopping 184 league goals for Man City in 275 league matches – the most Premier League goals scored by a player for any single club.
2,520 – Sergio Agüero could play another 2,520 minutes of Premier League action without scoring (the equivalent to 28 full games), and he would still have the best minutes per goal ratio of any Premier League player (20+ goals). Stupendous. pic.twitter.com/47TbHNeGnl
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 15, 2021
He helped Manchester City to win five Premier League titles, one FA Cup, six EFL Cup, three FA Community Shield, and played for the club in the 2020-2021 UEFA Champions League final.
When his contract with Manchester City expired last summer, Aguero joined FC Barcelona on a free transfer. Unfortunately for him, he managed to play four league games for Barca before he developed a heart condition.
“Atletico Madrid took a bet on me at 18 years old, that I could do things well in Europe,” Aguero said while announcing his retirement on Wednesday. “People at Manchester City, you all know how I feel. They look after me really well.
“When a player plays, they always want to keep winning more things, but I think I can be happy with the titles I won. Anyone can always do a bit more, but I think I did my best for me and my clubs.”
Watch clips from Aguero’s press conference below:
“I have decided to stop playing football.”
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 15, 2021
— @aguerosergiokun pic.twitter.com/kVpislPA9K
“It’s a very difficult moment … it’s for my health.”
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 15, 2021
— @aguerosergiokun pic.twitter.com/DYBjqqSQf2
“I always dreamt about playing football, since I was five years old.”
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 15, 2021
— @aguerosergiokun pic.twitter.com/2xTA6z9MZl
“I want to tell everyone that I did everything possible.”
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 15, 2021
— @aguerosergiokun pic.twitter.com/ODYOrqHNNg
“I want to share my gratitude to everyone, regardless of where I’ve played … Atlético Madrid … Manchester City … Barça.”
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 15, 2021
— @aguerosergiokun pic.twitter.com/DC4lrvSqvU
Watch some Sergio Aguero’s highlights below:
Sergio Aguero has a firm place in #PL history, winning 5 titles with @ManCity and scoring 184 goals
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 15, 2021
None more so famous than this one… pic.twitter.com/gfDdubK4ph
🗣️ “I leave with my head held high. I am very proud of the career I have had.”
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 15, 2021
Manchester City legend Sergio Agüero confirms his retirement. Thanks for the memories, Kun 👋@aguerosergiokun | @ManCity | #UCL pic.twitter.com/4i1RADUDK1
