Sergio Aguero retires from football, aged 33
Manchester City's all-time record goal scorer has retired from the game
Last updated 15th Dec 2021
Manchester City's all-time record goal scorer Sergio 'Kun' Aguero has retired from football following a heart condition, only six months after he left the club to join Barcelona on a free transfer.
Aguero made an emotional speech at Camp Nou this morning as he announced his official retirement from football.
"I have decided to stop playing professional football. This is a very difficult moment", said Aguero.
The 33-year-old has said that he has made the decision following health difficulties.
The striker experienced chest problems and breathing difficulties during the first half of Barcelona’s 1-1 draw with Alavés on 30 October.
He fell to the turf clutching his chest and was treated for several minutes before being able to walk off and taken to hospital.
Following the match, the 33-year-old was diagnosed with a cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).
Members of Barcelona's board and La Liga were sat alongside Pep Guardiola as the striker retired from the sport.
A undeniable football great
Aguero finishes his career with 427 goals in 786 games, with 184 of them goals coming from his 275 Premier League appearances making him the fourth-highest goal scorer in the league's history.
Only Alan Shearer (260), Wayne Rooney (208) and Andrew Cole (187) have scored more in the competition.
After starting out with Independiente in Argentina, he moved to Atletico Madrid, winning the Europa League in 2010 and scoring 101 goals in 234 appearances.
The striker moved from Atletico Madrid to Manchester City in 2011 and lifted five Premier League titles, one FA Cup and six League Cups during his time at the Etihad Stadium.
Aguero is responsible for one of the most iconic moments in Premier League's history after he famously scored a last-kick winner against QPR which secured the first of those league titles in 2012.
The striker holds the joint record for the most goals scored in a single Premier League match – five – and the fastest to do so, in 23 minutes and 34 seconds of match time when City beat Newcastle 6-1
The forward also scored 41 goals in 101 games for Argentina, playing for his country at three World Cups, and helped them win the Copa America earlier this year.
The Argentine only made five appearances for the Catalans but was still able to score a goal against Real Madrid.
"I am very proud of the career I have had, very happy"
During his speech, Aguero said: "It is a very difficult moment. The decision I have made I have taken for my health, that is the main reason, because of the problem that I had a month-and-a-half ago.
"I was in good hands of the medical staff who have done their best and have told me the best thing would be to stop playing.
"So I made that decision about a week ago and I want to tell everyone I did everything possible to have hope, but there wasn't very much."
The former Manchester City and Atletico Madrid striker continued: "I am very proud of the career I have had, very happy.
"I always dreamt of playing football from five years old. I want to show my gratitude to everyone, all of the clubs I played at and, of course, my love, Argentina.
"I don't know what awaits me in the next life, but I know there are a lot of people who love me and want the best for me."
An unfortunate end to a world class career
Aguero moved to Barcelona after 10 years at City so he could play alongside his good friend Lionel Messi on a free transfer, but this didn't play out as smoothly as it could have.
The club's financial problems meant there were problems registering their new signings, including Aguero.
And those same financial issues led to the departure of Messi to Paris St-Germain.
Aguero suffered from a calf injury almost immediately after registering and was kept out of the squad until October.
The striker was able to score a 97th minute consolation goal against Real Madrid in his only El Clasico appearance, and three days later he made his first start for the club (27 October).
On 30 October Aguero had to withdraw during a match against Alavés after experiencing "chest discomfort" during the match.
He received a "cardiac exam" and was diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia 90 days later.
Yesterday Barcelona confirmed that Aguero would "give a statement on his future at Camp Nou" alongside club president, Joan Laporta.