Aguero forced to retire due to heart issue
Amid concerns over a heart issue, Sergio Aguero has brought his illustrious playing career to an end at the age of 33.
Sergio Aguero has retired at the age of 33 due to a heart problem.
The Barcelona forward announced his decision to retire in a statement on Thursday (AEDT) that was delivered at an event featuring president Joan Laporta and the club's first-team players.
Aguero, who starred for Atletico Madrid before becoming a Manchester City great, suffered chest pain in the draw with Deportivo Alaves on 30 October, which the club confirmed was down to a heart arrhythmia.
Sergi Barjuan, interim coach at the time, said Aguero told him he was feeling "a little dizzy".
Further tests resulted in Aguero being ruled out for three months to undergo a "diagnostic and therapeutic process".
However, after consultations with specialists, the Argentina international has been told it is too much of a risk to continue playing.
Aguero joined Barca on a free transfer from City in July, but a calf injury meant he did not make his debut until October.
He made five appearances in all competitions for Barca, playing just 166 minutes, with his sole goal coming in the form of a late consolation in a 2-1 Clasico defeat to Real Madrid.
Aguero scored a club-record 260 goals in 390 appearances in a trophy-laden decade at City, including its famous last-gasp winner against QPR in 2011-12 to clinch the club's maiden Premier League title.