Sergio Aguero bursts into tears as he confirms retirement from football
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Barcelona star and Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero has confirmed his retirement from football due to a heart condition.
The Argentinian, 33, left the Premier League champions for the Catalans only six months ago but could not have expected such a swift change in his career.
Aguero experienced chest pain and breathing difficulties during a 1-1 draw with Alavés on October 30 and was taken to hospital after leaving the pitch clutching his chest.
After being diagnosed with a cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) the club said he would undergo a "diagnostic and therapeutic process", but it has now been decided he will call time on his career for good.
Speaking at the announcement of his retirement at the Camp Nou, a tearful Aguero said: "This press conference is to communicate that I've decided to stop playing soccer. It's a very hard moment but I'm at peace with the decision I made.
"It's a decision that I made to preserve my health. It's what the doctors said to me, that it would be better to stop playing. I made the decision around 10 days ago.
"I'm very proud of my career, it was a dream come true. I just wanted to be a professional player and never thought that I would play in Europe."
His heartfelt announcement follows a glittering 18-year career beginning at Independiente in his homeland Argentina.
He moved to Atletico Madrid in 2006 and won the prestigious Golden Boy award before signing for Manchester City in 2011 and firmly establishing himself as one of the best strikers in the game.
That season, his 94th-minute winner against Queens Park Rangers became one of the most iconic moments in football history.
City needed to win to secure the Premier League title, but dramatically found themselves 2-1 down with five minutes to go.
Edin Dzeko then equalised to give the home side hope, before Mario Balotelli set up Aguero who took one touch before showing incredible composure to slot home.
Aguero hangs up his boots with 260 goal in 390 appearances, with 184 of those coming in the Premier League.
Not only did he end his English career as Man City's record goal-scorer, but also the Premier league's fourth all-time leading scorer.
His sensational tally across 10 seasons is bettered only by Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Andy Cole, making him the most prolific foreign striker to step foot in England.
Aguero's City career was equally successful when it came to lifting silverware, with the Argentine securing five league titles, one FA Cup and six League Cups during his time at the Etihad.
For Argentina, who he represented in the 2014 World Cup final in Germany, he scored 41 times in 101 appearances.
He played at an impressive three different World Cups and was finally rewarded at international level by lifting the Copa America earlier in the year.
- Sergio Aguero
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