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Sergio Aguero retires at age 33 because of a heart problem

Argentine striker ended 18-year career
Fernando Kallas, Rohith Nair e Aadi Nair
Published on 15/12/2021 - 20:17
Madri (Espanha) e Bengalore (Índia)
aguero, barcelona
© REUTERS/Albert Gea/Direitos reservados
Reuters

Barcelona and Argentina forward Sergio Aguero burst into tears as he announced his retirement from football this Wednesday (15) because of a heart condition, ending an 18-year career during which he has scored more than 400 goals.

Aguero, 33, was taken to hospital on Oct. 30 after experiencing chest pain and breathing difficulties in Barcelona's 1-1 draw with Alaves.

The club announced a few days later that he would be out for at least three months after a cardiac analysis, before doctors advised him not to play again.

“This press conference is to communicate that I have decided to stop playing football. It's a very difficult time, but I'm at peace with the decision I made,” Aguero said at a press conference at Camp Nou.

“It's a decision I made to preserve my health. That's what the doctors told me, that it would be better to stop playing. I made the decision about 10 days ago”, he declared.

“I'm very proud of my career, it was a dream that came true. I just wanted to be a professional player and I never thought I would play in Europe,” he said.

The Argentinian was signed by Barcelona via free transfer earlier in the season, but has played just five games in all competitions due to a calf injury and heart problems.

“The first few weeks [after diagnosis] were very difficult. When I took the first physical tests after the incident [...] the doctors told me that there was a high possibility that I would not be able to play again,” added Aguero.

“Then I started to sue, that I would never be able to play football professionally again. When I was given the definitive diagnosis, I was prepared. It hurts, of course, it was a very difficult process to go through, but I'm fine now”, he said.

“I'm sure of that […]. That I can live my life happy after professional football, that nothing more serious has happened. Now I can live a normal life and do other things with my family like a normal guy”, he concluded.

Text translated using artificial intelligence.