Kun Aguero announces retirement from professional football

Sergio Kun Aguero has announced his retirement from football in an emotional press conference held on Wednesday in Barcelona. The former Manchester City striker took the decision along with his doctors after he was diagnosed with a cardiac arrhythmia.

Kun Aguero, who moved to FC Barcelona in the summer after ten years of playing for Manchester City, was diagnosed with the condition after he was forced off with chest pain in Barcelona’s 1-1 draw against Deportivo Alaves in the La Liga in October.

A cardiac arrhythmia is an irregular heart rhythm that signifies a defect in the electrical conduction system of the heart.

After receiving the diagnosis, it was announced that Kun Aguero would be kept under observation over the next three months after which a decision would be taken on his future in January 2022. It was, however, not to be, as the striker announced that he had tried to keep hope alive of returning to the football pitch, but it was ultimately impossible.

“This is to tell you that I have decided to stop playing professional football. “It is a very tough moment, but I am happy with the decision I have taken. First comes my health. I took the decision for the problems I had a month and a bit ago. I was in good hands of the doctors who
told me the best was to stop playing. I took the decision about a week ago, I did everything possible to keep hope alive, but there was not much. I am very proud for my career, very happy. “I always dreamed of playing football, thankful to everyone who has helped me, at Atletico, at City, I am very grateful because I was treated very well. And the people at Barca have been incredible with me. “I wanted to come to the best team in the world, but things happen for a reason, and they have treated me very
well here. Also, I am grateful to the Argentina national team, and everybody here in this moment, my family.”

Sergio Kun Aguero played 275 times for Manchester City in the Premier League and ended up as their record scorer with 184 goals. His last-minute strike on the last day of his first season at the club earned them the 2011/12 English Premier League title, their first ever.

The Argentine forward moved to the Nou Camp in the summer after his contract at the Etihad Stadium expired, but was unable to make his debut until October after suffering a calf injury. He scored once in five appearances for the Blaugrana, with his lone strike coming in the 2-1 El Clasico loss to Real Madrid.

The 33-year-old striker scored 41 goals in 101 appearances for the Argentina national team and represented his country at three world cups. He was part of the squad that won the 2021 Copa America in Brazil.

Aguero’s former manager and Barcelona legend Pep Guardiola was in attendance at the Nou Camp for his press conference, as were a number of his former teammates from Manchester City and Argentina.