Sergio Agüero announced his retirement from football on Wednesday at the age of 33 due to a heart condition.
The Manchester City record goalscorer, who moved to Barcelona on a free transfer in the summer, had to be taken off during his team’s 1-1 draw with Alavés at Camp Nou in October after receiving medical assistance on the pitch to treat dizziness and chest pains.
An emotional Agüero said: “This conference is to communicate that I have decided to stop playing football. 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.”
Agüero began his career at Argentinian side Independiente, scoring 23 goals between 2003 and 2006 before moving to La Liga to join Atlético Madrid.
El Kun made his Atlético debut on 27 August of the same year during a 1-0 win at El Sardinero against Racing Santander. Almost a month later, on 17 September, Agüero scored the first of his goals for the Madrid club against Athletic Club at San Mamés.
He enjoyed a successful spell with the Spanish side, scoring 101 times in 234 appearances in all competitions, and won the Europa League with the club in 2010 in addition to the UEFA Super Cup. The young striker also provided 45 assists in his time with Los Colchoneros from 2006 to 2011.
In the Europa League final in 2010 in Hamburg, he assisted both goals scored by fellow striker Diego Forlán, and in the 2010 Super Cup, Agüero scored one goal and assisted the other in a 2-0 win over Inter Milan.
“I am grateful to Atlético Madrid, who came here today, and who bet on me when I was only 18 years old, betting that I could do well in Europe. The Europa League with Atlético was a very happy moment,” Agüero said.
Man City signed the Argentine forward from Atlético in 2011 and he became a club legend when he scored a late winner against QPR in the final game of the 2011/12 season to secure the club’s first Premier League title.
