Barcelona’s Sergio Aguero has announced that he will be retiring due to a heart condition which would make it dangerous for him to continue playing. Only 33 years old, Aguero hasn’t taken the field since October when he was removed from a game due to chest pain. After undergoing a series of tests, he was found to have an arrhythmia which could be exacerbated by continuing his professional playing career.
An emotional Aguero stated “This conference is to announce I have decided to stop playing professional football. It is a very difficult moment. The decision I have taken for my health; the problem I had a month and a half ago…I have been in good hands with the medical staff. I made the decision 10 days ago after doing everything possible to have some hope of playing on. I am very proud for my career. I always dreamed of a professional career since the first time I touched a ball at 5.”
In an interview with an Argentinian radio station, Aguero’s doctor mentioned “He has a very small scar in his heart area which is less than a millimetre which is why it sort of short-circuits and causes those arrhythmias.”
The Argentinian began his career with Atletico Madrid before spending a decade with Manchester City. He’s represented Argentina internationally on the U17, U20, U23 and senior men’s stage on multiple occasions, suiting up 101 times between 2006-2021for the AFA. Aguero has captured numerous individual awards including being named Premier League player of the month on 7 different occasions. The swift footed striker was in his first year of a new contract with Barcelona before his medical condition flared up.
An outpouring of support and well wishes from around the soccer world have flooded in, chief among them from Aguero’s close friend Lionel Messi. The two spent many years together representing their country and club teams, and they both consider their recent Copa America victory this summer amongst their most cherished memories.
While he has yet to comment publicly about his future plans, many speculate that there will be roles for Aguero to play in a front office or back in his native Argentina should he wish to remain involved in the sport.