December 14, (THEWILL) – Sergio Agüero, Manchester City’s all-time leading scorer, is set to retire from football on Wednesday owing to a heart issue, six months after joining Barcelona on a free transfer.
During the first half of Barcelona’s 1-1 draw with Alavés on October 30, the 33-year-old had chest and breathing troubles. Agüero collapsed to the ground clutching his chest at the Camp Nou and was treated for several minutes before being allowed to walk away.
The Argentine was sent to the hospital for cardiological tests, and the club announced that he will be out for three months while undergoing a “diagnostic and therapeutic process.”
Unfortunately, Agüero is unable to continue active football, drawing the curtain on an illustrious 18-year career that began with Independiente, when he became Argentina’s youngest top-flight debutant. The striker went to Atlético Madrid in 2006 after three years, before joining City in the summer of 2011.
His first season with the club culminated with a career highlight when his 94th-minute winner against Queens Park Rangers grabbed the Premier League title from Manchester United and handed City their first trophy since 1968. After a decade with the club, he scored 260 goals in 390 appearances, including 184 goals in the Premier League, which remains a club record to this day.
His final City appearance culminated in the heartbreak of a Champions League final defeat by Chelsea. Another low point in a glorious career for Aguero was the 2014 World Cup final loss to Germany.
The striker had the opportunity to score just one goal in five appearances for Barcelona but hit the net 41 times in 101 games for Argentina throughout his time donning the jersey for his country.
