Has Aguero retired from football?
FT Desk
- Updated: 21 Nov 2021 14:48 GMT
- 3 min read
Sergio Aguero and Xavi have both rejected reports that the striker has been forced to retire from football due to a heart condition, but Samir Nasri has contradicted these denials.
Spanish journalist Gerard Romero reported on Saturday that the Argentina international will be forced to hang up his boots permanently due to a heart condition.
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Aguero was forced off during Barcelona’s 1-1 draw with Alaves at the start of this month after suffering breathing difficulties.
After being taken to hospital, Aguero was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat that would cause him to miss the next three months of the season.
Following the claims made by Romero, Aguero denied that he was set to retire.
"Given the rumours, I can say that I am following the instructions of the club's doctors, doing tests and treatment and checking my progress within 90 days. Always positive," he wrote on Twitter.
And Aguero’s Barcelona coach Xavi also rubbished Romero’s claims.
What did Xavi say about Aguero?
“About 'Kun' Aguero I don't know anything new,” Xavi told the media after Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Espanyol on Saturday evening.
“I spoke with him the other day, he was relaxed. What came out is not true. We have to wait and see but we are still hoping he can come back and play football."
🗣 Xavi on the news that Aguero may be forced to retire:
🎙 "What's come out isn't true, I spoke with him, he's calm and happy. I asked him to come back when he was feeling okay." [AS]
The news broke early this weekend that Aguero may have to retire due to a heart problem ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/e9NHELIljS— FIVE (@FIVEUK) November 21, 2021
What did Nasri say about Aguero?
But these denials by Aguero and Xavi have been contradicted by Samir Nasri.
The ex-France international played with Aguero at Manchester City and he claims that his former teammate sent him a text message confirming he is hanging up his boots.
“He confirmed to me via text that he is retiring,” Nasri told Canal+.
So far there has been no official confirmation that Aguero is indeed retiring so unless that happens we can assume that the 33-year-old’s condition will be assessed again once the 90-day rest period is over.
Aguero only joined Barcelona this summer on a Bosman from Man City, but has barely featured due to injury and illness.
