Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero on Wednesday announced his retirement from football at a tearful press conference, just over a month after he was diagnosed with a heart problem.
The 33-year-old complained of discomfort in his chest in Barcelona’s draw against Alaves in a La Liga match in October.
Aguero walked off the pitch in the encounter before going for further tests. Initially, it was believed he would be out for just three months, but further cardiac tests showed that it would be a major risk if he continued playing.
With that in mind, Aguero was forced to announce his retirement in an emotional press conference.
“I have decided to stop playing professional football. It is a very hard moment but I am happy with my decision. My health comes first,” said Aguero, who enjoyed 10 highly successful years at Manchester City before leaving at the end of last season.
Since he announced his retirement, he has received well wishes from his colleagues, including Lionel Messi.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and director of football Txiki Begiristain were also both in attendance at the press conference.
Aguero’s retirement means he will miss out on the chance to represent Argentina at next year’s World Cup in Qatar but he did help his country win the Copa America in Brazil earlier this year, collecting his 100th cap during that tournament.
He won five Premier League titles in total with City, as well as one FA Cup and six League Cups, and is the English top flight’s all-time top-scoring foreign player.
The Argentine star will go down as one of, if not the, greatest players to ever for City, and his retirement struck a chord with many supporters.
Here’s what some fans had to say on Twitter about Aguero confirming his exit from football for good…
Never seen a city tweet get this many likes loool. Aguero was massive
— 🅰️ (@abzMCFC_) December 15, 2021
I really do hope City intend to rename a stand in his honour… like for instance the family stand to The Sergio Agüero Stand 👑 Please @ManCity he deserves it 🔵💙
— Real Talk Manchester City (@RealTalkMCFC) December 15, 2021
Nothing more iconic than this . Now where’s the stand re-naming announcement and the statue outside the Etihad ? @ManCity pic.twitter.com/6883tn6CMo
— Bernardinho Silva (@polarix_woiwoi) December 15, 2021
We love you 💙 pic.twitter.com/gXbbIU6zuC
— ¹⁰ (@SxrgioSZN) December 15, 2021
Our Greatest Ever. pic.twitter.com/vpLlcrNV71
— Ryan (@bernardooooV3) December 15, 2021
We wish well in the next chapter of your https://t.co/LVANa9BYsA will always be a our legend.💙💙 pic.twitter.com/BW4y9fI7Dn
— Sos2907 (@Sos29071) December 15, 2021
The best 💙 pic.twitter.com/M5wWm8eDKR
— kdb enthusiast (@ann09m) December 15, 2021
