Barcelona star Aguero breaks down as he confirms retirement at 33 with heart problem (VIDEO)

admin 2021-12-15 0 Comments

Argentina icon Sergio Aguero has held a tearful press conference confirming his retirement from football after he was hospitalized while complaining of chest pain and dizziness during a Liga game for Barcelona in October.

The former Manchester City and Atletico Madrid star, who signed for Barca on a free transfer in May, was diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia through a battery of medical tests following the worrying end to his appearance against Alaves.

Barca announced soon afterwards that he would be absent from team affairs for three months while his cardiac health was evaluated.

After rumors that Aguero would be forced to call time on his career, the 33-year-old spoke live on Barcelona’s channels from their Camp Nou home about what he described as a “very difficult moment”.

“I’ve decided to stop playing football,” the 101-cap international said, fighting through his emotions.

“I have taken it for my health; that’s the main reason I have taken this decision, because of the problem that I had.

“I’m very proud of the career I’ve had, very happy. I always dreamt about playing football, since I was five years old – when I first touched a ball.

“My dream was to play in the Primeira Division; I never thought I’d get to Europe.”

Aguero will be best remembered for his decade-long spell with Manchester City, playing a key role in the power transfer from the red half of the city – arch-rivals Manchester United – to the blue of City.

He scored 260 goals in 390 appearances to become City’s all-time record scorer, including the dramatic last-gasp winner against QPR at the City of Manchester Stadium which took the Premier League title away from United in 2012. 

That would be the first of five Premier League trophies he would claim in a silverware-laden spell with the club.

His international career also ended on a high as he helped Argentina to the Copa America in 2021, adding to the World Cup runners-up medal he earned in 2014.

“I want to show my gratitude to everyone, regardless of where I trained,” said the ex-Independiente frontman.

“Atletico Madrid took a bet on me when I was 18 years old. They took a bet on me that I could do things well in Europe.

“People from Manchester City, you all know how I feel about Manchester City. I did things as best I could there. I’m very grateful because they looked after me very well.”

Aguero was expected to play with long-time friend Lionel Messi at Barcelona before the club captain made a shock departure to Paris Saint-Germain in August.

Aguero endured an injury-hit start to life at the club, scoring once in five appearances before the sad conclusion to his career.

“Everyone here at Barca, the team have been great to me,” he said. “It’s been incredible. It’s without doubt one of the best teams in the world.”

Barcelona president Joan Laporta promised Aguero he had “all of the club’s support” over his “condition”.

“You’ve achieved so much: not just based on your talent, but also on the friendships you’ve made and your way of being,”

“Now a new journey awaits and we hope it will be just as successful. You deserve it.”

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