Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero announces
his retirement from professional football, because of a heart condition. His
decision comes six months after Manchester City’s talismanic scorer joined the
Camp Nou side as a free agent.

Speaking at the conference, with Pep Guardiola in the crowd, Aguero said “This conference is to announce I have decided to stop playing professional football. 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 have been in good hands with the medical staff. I made the decision 10 days ago after doing everything possible to have some hope of playing on. I am very proud for my career. I always dreamed of a professional career since the first time I touched a ball at five.

I want to thank Atletico Madrid who took a chance on me when I was 18 and Manchester City, everyone knows who I feel about City and how well they treated me there.

I will leave with my head held high. I don’t know what awaits me in the next part of my life. But I know I have people who love me. I will always remember the amazing things.”

Recently, Aguero
suffered from chest problems and had difficulty breathing during Barcelona’s
match with Alaves on October 30. Complications started arising in the first
half of the match which ended in a draw. Aguero fell to the ground, clutching
his chest. Medics rushed to the spot and the player had to be treated for some
time before he walked off the Camp Nou turf.

Also Read | Champions League round of 16 draw: all you need to know

Further, Aguero was
admitted to a hospital to undergo cardiological tests, and the club later issued
a statement that the veteran scorer would be out of the game for three
months. During this time, the player was expected to undergo a therapeutic and
diagnostic process. However, Aguero has found himself unable to continue.

This brings a laudable
18-year-career to an end. The Argentinian started playing at Independiente,
becoming the country’s youngest top-flight opener. Three years later, the
striker moved to Atletico Madrid, and spent five years there. He transferred to
Manchester City in 2011.

Also Read | Premier League: Top 3 all win to intensify title race

Aguero fit right in with the Etihad squad and his
first season ended with a career highlight. His 94th-minute goal against Queens
Park Rangers helped beat out rivals Manchester United for the top spot, earning
City their first title since 1968. Aguero’s spectacular decade at City ended
with 260 goals in his 390 appearances. He also made a record scoring 184 goals
for his team in the English Premier League. His final appearance for City resulted
in a heartbreaking defeat to Chelsea.

Also Read | Battle of GOATs: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s most iconic clashes

At Barcelona, Aguero
scored once in five matches and has 41 goals out of 101 appearances for
Argentina. His retirement is definitely a loss for the football community.