Sergio ‘Kun’ Agüero was forced to hang his boots on Wednesday, prematurely retiring due to a heart condition discovered following what wound up being his final appearance as a player, on October 30th for Barcelona, in a match against Alavés.
The 33-year-old striker held a tearful press conference in Catalunya to communicate his decision.
“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,” he added.
Sergio Aguero has a firm place in #PL history, winning 5 titles with @ManCity and scoring 184 goals
None more so famous than this one… pic.twitter.com/gfDdubK4ph
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 15, 2021
It brings an end to a storied career for a player who is seemingly universally beloved.
He was responsible for the greatest finish to a Premier League season ever with his dramatic title-winning late goal for ManCity in 2012.
That moment was part of his record-setting run at City, where he became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer and one of the top forwards in the history of the English top flight.
Aguero has found back of the net 427 goals in 786 games across spells at Independiente, Atletico Madrid, Manchester City, and Barca, winning five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, six League Cups and a Copa America.
By all this, the world of football didn’t want to forget of him in a so signalled day for the Kun.
Messi’s farewell message to Aguero 🥺 pic.twitter.com/YaKBzpZo4S
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 15, 2021
King Kun.
Everyone at Manchester City would like to take this opportunity to thank @aguerosergiokun for his incredible contribution to our success over the last decade and wish him well in his retirement 💙 pic.twitter.com/AgMWXZtPZ8
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 15, 2021
Thank you for the football… you’ll be missed! ❤️😢
🌟 @aguerosergiokun 🌟#LaLigaHistory pic.twitter.com/aFcAWrs9c6
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) December 15, 2021
#FuerzaKun ¡Gracias, querido @aguerosergiokun! Gracias por tantos años de fútbol, gambetas, goles y alegrías con la Albiceleste. Estarás por siempre en los corazones de cada argentino y te alentaremos toda la vida👏
¡Todo lo mejor para lo que venga!
📝https://t.co/BoRVMieKfJ pic.twitter.com/OauliLeJRB
— Selección Argentina 🇦🇷 (@Argentina) December 15, 2021
De #Independiente al mundo. Para toda la vida.
Gracias por el fútbol, @aguerosergiokun. Te queremos mucho y esta siempre va a ser tu casa.#GraciasKun #TodoRojo 🔴 pic.twitter.com/JRG1EgMx1J
— C. A. Independiente (@Independiente) December 15, 2021
Kun, you’ll always have a home here at Barça pic.twitter.com/dVBT7plcWl
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 15, 2021
💕 Our thoughts are with Sergio Aguero as he announces his retirement ⚽️
👏 Congratulations on a wonderful career played out on the game’s biggest stages 🇦🇷@aguerosergiokun | @Argentina pic.twitter.com/Oi29OxKHQ6
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) December 15, 2021
Thanks Kun ❤️ pic.twitter.com/QTMVdyHPsS
— Olympics (@Olympics) December 15, 2021
🗣️ “I leave with my head held high. I am very proud of the career I have had.”
Manchester City legend Sergio Agüero confirms his retirement. Thanks for the memories, Kun 👋@aguerosergiokun | @ManCity | #UCL pic.twitter.com/4i1RADUDK1
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 15, 2021