Barcelona striker Sergio Aguero is hanging up his cleats for good. During a press conference organized on Wednesday, the 33-year-old announced he is officially retiring from soccer due to his recent health issues.
Aguero, who joined Barca as a free agent in the summer, was diagnosed with a heart arrhythmia in late October after feeling chest pain during a game against Alaves. The Argentinian was initially sidelined for three months, during which he was set to undergo therapy and have his condition monitored. Back then, he said that he wouldn’t decide on his future until these three months had passed.
However, with no positive developments in sight, Aguero opted not to wait any longer.
“This conference is to announce I have decided to stop playing professional football,” Aguero said. “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 am very proud for my career. I always dreamed of a professional career since the first time I touched a ball at 5,” he added.
Sergio Aguero is considered one of the best strikers of his generation. He started his professional career in native Argentina with Independiente before making a move to Spain and joining Atletico Madrid. Aguero went on to play 234 games for Atletico and score 101 goals while helping the club win UEFA Europa League in 2009-10.
Aguero left Madrid in 2011 to join European powerhouse Manchester City. He left a huge impact there, scoring 260 goals in 10 years while winning 15 trophies, including five Premier League titles. After Aguero departed the club in the summer, City announced that they would pay tribute to the striker by erecting a statue of him in front of their stadium. The statue is expected to be unveiled in 2022.
