Aguero announces retirement from football
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 15 Dec 2021 11:36 GMT
- 4 min read
Barcelona forward Sergio Aguero has announced his retirement from professional football with immediate effect.
Aguero has been forced to quit the game because of a heart condition that would make it dangerous for him to continue to play sport at the highest level.
The issue first arose during Aguero’s participation in a La Liga match against Alaves on 30 October, with the Argentina international forced to be replaced during the game as he was suffering from chest pains.
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Barcelona initially announced that Aguero would be forced to take three months out of the game while investigations were done into the issue. There was an unspoken threat of retirement throughout this time.
Aguero only moved to Barca from Manchester City on a free transfer in the summer, with his preparations for the campaign disrupted by the Copa America and a calf injury that kept him sidelined until October.
As such, the 33-year-old striker made only five appearances for Barcelona, totalling just 165 minutes on the field. He scored one goal – a consolation strike in a 2-1 loss against Real Madrid in the Clasico.
What did Aguero say?
A tearful Aguero told the assembled crowd: "This conference is to say that I've decided to stop playing professional football. It's a very difficult moment.
"I've taken the decision for my health, that's the main reason I've made this decision, because of the problem I had a month and a half ago.
"I was in good hands. The medical staff told me that the best thing would be to stop playing, so 10 days ago I made that decision.
"I want to tell everyone that I did everything possible to have some hope, but there wasn't very much.
I want to tell everyone that I did everything possible to have some hope, but there wasn't very much.
- Sergio Aguero"I'm proud of my career. I always dreamed of playing football since I was five years old. I never thought I'd get to Europe.
"I want to share my gratitude to everyone.
"Atletico Madrid took a bet on me when I was just 18. We all know how I feel about Manchester City. They looked after me very well. And everyone here at Barcelona, they've been incredible. Things happen, and I'm grateful that the club have treated me very well.
"And the Argentina national team, which I love the most. I'm grateful for everyone that's come here at this moment, my family and the people that worked with me.
"I think I always did my best to help them win, and I want to give thanks to my team-mates who helped me to grow.
"I'll leave now with my head held high. I don't know what awaits me.
"I'll always remember the amazing things that happened in my career. Thank you all."
Aguero’s remarkable career
Aguero’s Barcelona spell may have been unremarkable, but his career was nevertheless a remarkable one.
He started out at Independiente before moving to Atletico Madrid while still a teenager. He would spend five years in the Spanish capital establishing himself as one of the finest young strikers in the world, initially playing alongside club legend Fernando Torres.
He left Atleti a Europa League winner for Manchester City in the summer of 2011 and became an instant hit at the Etihad Stadium. Indeed, his last-minute title-clinching goal in 2011-12 will forever remain one of the most iconic Premier League moments.
This was the start of a 10-year relationship with Man City for Aguero, with the Argentine going on to become the club’s all-time leading scorer, netting 260 times in 390 appearances, before his departure to Barcelona when his contract expired.
