Sergio Aguero Makes Emotional Retirement Announcement After Heart Condition Diagnosis

Aguero confirmed his heartbreaking decision to hang up his boots rather than taking the risk to continue playing in an official press conference at Camp Nou.

“This conference is to announce I have decided to stop playing professional football,” he said. “It is a very difficult moment. The decision I have taken is for my health [and relates to] 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 of 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 how 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.”

On Wednesday, Aguero took to social media to post an emotional open letter detailing his decision to step away from the game.

Having received feedback from doctors, Aguero came to the decision that “life comes first”, saying that his forced retirement is far from a tragedy given the highs he reached during his professional career.

“Life goes on, and there’s plenty of it ahead,” part of Aguero’s statement read. “It will be a new stage, a different one indeed, but I’ll keep on just like I’ve done so far: always positive, with enthusiasm and joy.”