Sergio Aguero has announced his retirement from football at the age of just 33.
The Argentina and Barcelona striker says he needs to prioritise his health, after suffering a cardiac problem during a La Liga game in October.
Photo via Goaldotcom
Aguero had initially been ruled out for several months, but now says the problem is severe enough to end his career.
The player broke into tears during his press announcement, saying it was a very difficult decision to make, but he is ultimately proud of what he’s achieved over the years.
A long and illustrious career
After a successful debut spell with Independiente, Aguero burst onto the global scene with Atletico Madrid in 2006. He scored 101 goals for the Spanish club, helping them win the Europa League title along the way.
This attracted the interest of Man City, who signed him for a mere 38 million pounds in 2011. What an absolute bargain he turned out to be.
Over a 10-year spell in the blue half of Manchester… Aguero quickly established himself as a vital part of the team that went on to win five Premier League titles.
Who can forget his late goal in the last match of the 2011/2012 season against QPR, that saw City crowned champions for the first time in 44 years.
That one strike alone elevated Aguero to ‘club legend’ status.
By the time he left Man City in May of 2021, Aguero had won five league titles, one FA Cup and six English League Cup titles.
He also scored 184 goals in the English top flight – the highest-scoring overseas player ever – and the fourth-highest scorer in EPL history behind Andy Cole, Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer.
Unfortunately, his move to Barcelona was short-lived. His appearances were limited due to injury, and on one of the few occasions that he did play (against Alaves), he suffered the cardiac arrythmia that cruelly cut his career short .
Aguero was no less prolific for his national team. He scored 41 goals in the blue and white of Argentina, and over the years formed an effective partnership with Lionel Messi.
His greatest achievement for his country was winning this year’s Copa America, although he was also a World Cup finalist, losing to Germany in the 2014 final.
Tributes pour in
The football world was understandably devastated after Aguero’s announcement.
Messi, his friend on and off the field, posted an emotional message on social media:
"Practically a whole career together, Kun. We lived very beautiful moments and others that were not so, all of them made us unite more and more and be more friends. And we are going to continue living them together outside the field”
Some of Aguero’s former Man City teammates, including Yaya Toure, David Silva and Kevin DeBruyne also offered their tributes. His former City manager Pep Guardiola was even present for his retirement announcement.
Similarly, Man City, Barcelona, the Argentina national team and Atletico Madrid all offered their well-wishes on their official social media accounts.
But perhaps the best parting words came from Aguero himself…saying “Life goes on, and there’s plenty of it ahead”.
Like the rest of the footballing world, we wish Kun a speedy recovery and a happy retirement.
By: Nicholas Darren John
