Superstar striker Sergio Aguero was forced to retire at age 33 due to a heart condition. Here’s how Twitter reacted to the announcement Wednesday.
Argentina and Barcelona star Sergio Aguero announced Wednesday that he is retiring from soccer at age 33 due to a heart condition.
Aguero last played in October and had been subbed out during the first half of Barcelona’s draw with Alaves after complaining of chest pain. He had signed with the team over the summer.
The Catalan club said afterwards that Aguero’s discomfort had been caused by an arrhythmia, a term used to describe any heart rhythm that is not completely normal.
"I have decided to stop playing football."
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 15, 2021
— @aguerosergiokun pic.twitter.com/kVpislPA9K
It was at a news conference in Barcelona that a tearful Aguero said he was hanging up his cleats as a result of his health, capping an 18-year career highlighted by five Premier League titles with Man City and a Copa America with Argentina this past summer.
Earlier this year, Aguero admitted that his last-gasp goal against Queens Park Rangers in the final match of the 2011-12 season to secure Manchester City’s first English league title remains his biggest.
https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1471081733428846592
“That goal for me is the most important of my life,” he told Sky Sports. “All the time, I watch that game and my family too, and my son. I think that goal will be all the time in [my] head.”
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the announcement.
Lionel Messi, Aguero’s Argentina teammate, was among the first to praise the striker.
https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1471127969397620736
Former Man City manager Roberto Mancini, who now coaches Italy, also tweeted out his blessings.
King @aguerosergiokun, i wish you moments like this also off the pitch! pic.twitter.com/GM9W3bd66A
— Roberto Mancini (@robymancio) December 15, 2021
Former Man City teammate Kevin De Bruyne called Aguero “one of the greatest strikers ever.”
One of the best strikers ever! Want to wish you all the best for the future legend. See you soon @aguerosergiokun pic.twitter.com/DLsZ2aL6jg
— Kevin De Bruyne (@KevinDeBruyne) December 15, 2021
Liverpool’s James Milner, who faced Aguero many times in the Premier League, wished him “good luck and health.”
Wishing one of the all time greats @aguerosergiokun good luck and health in what he does next ❤️ pic.twitter.com/bhtH04HQDd
— James Milner (@JamesMilner) December 15, 2021
Even Barca’s biggest rival Real Madrid tweeted a tribute to Aguero.
https://twitter.com/realmadriden/status/1471080504007053316