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Argentina and Barcelona star Sergio Aguero has announced his retirement from football just over a month after the 33-year-old was diagnosed with a heart condition.
The former Manchester City player signed a two-year deal with Barcelona this year but made just five appearances, scoring one goal against Real Madrid, before being taken to hospital with “chest pains” after a match at home to Alaves in October.
“I have decided to stop playing professional football,” said Aguero at a press conference at Camp Nou on Wednesday.
“It is a very difficult moment. The decision I have taken is for my health … I made that decision a week ago. When they did the first test in the clinic, the medical staff called to tell me there was a very big possibility that I wouldn’t be able to keep playing.
“I was still processing it all when one of the doctors told me straight up ‘That’s enough.'” he said.
The worrying spate of heart-related episodes in football has raised concerns over links with Covid and the vaccination program to prevent it.