Barcelona striker Aguero retires due to a heart condition
After one year from joining Barcelona FC, Sergio Aguero forcefully announces his retirement in a tearful press conference.
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Sergio Aguero (GETTY IMAGES)
Sergio Aguero, the Barcelona and Argentina striker, announced his retirement from the sport at a tearful press conference on Wednesday, just over a month after being diagnosed with a heart condition.
"I have decided to stop playing professional football. It is a very hard moment but I am happy with my decision," said Aguero adding that his health "comes first." Aguero, who played for Manchester City for ten years until leaving at the end of last season for Barcelona.
He signed a two-year contract with Barcelona, but he only made five appearances, scoring one goal against Real Madrid, before being taken to the hospital with "chest pains" following a match against Alaves at home in October.
After being diagnosed with a cardiac issue, Aguero was forced to accept the fact that he would never play again.
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"I took this decision because of problems I had a bit more than a month ago. I was in good hands with the doctors who also did their best and told me the best thing to do was stop playing," He announced at a news conference at Camp Nou, where his Barcelona teammates were present.
Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, and Txiki Begiristain, the director of football, were both present at the press conference.
Beyond football
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Aguero, who goes by the nickname 'Kun,' began his career with Independiente in Argentina before coming to Europe in 2006 to join Atletico Madrid.
During his time with the Spanish club, he won the Europa League and subsequently went to Manchester City in 2011.
Aguero left the Etihad Stadium a decade later as the club's all-time best scorer, with 260 goals to his name. The most memorable of which was his injury-time winner against Queens Park Rangers in May 2012, which helped the club win the Premier League title.
"I am very proud of the career I have had," Aguero said.
