Sergio Aguero announces his retirement from football

 A tearful Sergio Aguero has announced his retirement from football at the age of 33 due to a heart condition.

The Barcelona striker broke down in tears as he announced the news at a press conference at the Nou Camp on Wednesday morning.

‘There wasn’t much hope’: Tearful Sergio Aguero retires due to heart problem

Aguero experienced chest pains and breathing difficulties during the first half of Barcelona’s 1-1 home draw with Alaves on October 30. 

He fell to the turf clutching his chest and was treated for several minutes before being able to walk off and taken to hospital.

The Argentinian was subsequently diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).

Barcelona star Sergio Aguero makes emotional retirement announcement after heart condition diagnosis

At the press conference, which was attended by representatives of all of his previous clubs, including former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola who managed him at Manchester City, an emotional Aguero said: “This conference is to communicate that I have decided to stop playing football.

“It is a very difficult moment. The decision I have made I have taken for my health, that is the main reason, because of the problem that I had a month-and-a-half ago.

“I was in good hands of the medical staff who have done their best and have told me the best thing would be to stop playing.

“So I made that decision about a week ago and I want to tell everyone I did everything possible to have hope, but there wasn’t very much.”

Tearful Sergio Aguero announces his retirement from football 

The former Manchester City and Atletico Madrid striker continued: “I am very proud of the career I have had, very happy.

“I always dreamt of playing football from five years old. I want to show my gratitude to everyone, all of the clubs I played at, and, of course, my love, Argentina.

“I don’t know what awaits me in the next life, but I know there are a lot of people who love me and want the best for me.”

Barcelona's Sergio Aguero announces retirement from football due to heart condition

Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who sat on stage beside Aguero during the press conference, paid tribute to the summer signing and expressed regret at him making only five appearances for the club.

“It is as if all the reps of the teams you have played for are right here next to me too. We are left with the joy and excitement of what you could have been here at Barca,” said Laporta.

Sergio Aguero poses for a photo with Barcelona president Joan Laporta, left, Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola, right, and Barcelona head coach Xavi (Emilio Morenatti/AP)

“On your first day at Barca, we wished you had come here earlier. We always wanted you to play for our club but a new journey awaits and I hope it will be just as successful, you deserve it.

“You have all of our support, anything you need we are here at your disposal.

“You have been an amazing player and everywhere you have played you have achieved so much, not just the talent but also the friendships you made.”

The press conference ended with Aguero receiving a standing ovation.

Meanwhile, Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak paid tribute to Aguero’s career with a message on the club’s website, saying: “The facts speak for themselves – Sergio is quite simply the most ruthless striker in the history of the Premier League.

“It is extraordinary that his statistics, more reflective of two careers, are in fact those of a player whose time in the game was cut short.

“His impact lives not only in the club that we are today but in the club that we will be for many years to come.

“He has earned the adoration of the City family, and the respect of the football family the world over.”

Aguero’s glittering 18-year career began at Independiente, where he became Argentina’s youngest top-flight debutant. After three years he moved to Atletico Madrid in 2006 before signing for City in 2011.

His first season at the Etihad Stadium ended in a career highlight when his stoppage-time winner against QPR snatched the top spot from rivals Manchester United and gave City a first title since 1968.

A decade at the club saw him win five Premier League titles, six League Cups, and an FA Cup, scoring 260 goals in 390 appearances.

His final City appearance ended in the heartbreak of a Champions League final defeat by Chelsea, with another career-low point being the 2014 World Cup final loss to Germany.

He helped Argentina win the Copa America earlier this year, while in five matches for Barcelona Aguero scored once, in a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid.

Tottenham's COVID-19 crisis: Antonio Conte blames fixture pile-up after Premier League reject postponement request

Antonio Conte has said Tottenham's mounting fixture pile-up could be responsible for the Premier League rejecting the club's request to postpone Thursday's game at Leicester City and warned his players are at greater risk of injury after contracting COVID-19.

Spurs were forced to close their training ground last week after a severe outbreak as at least nine players and multiple staff members returned positive tests.

Tottenham's UEFA Conference League match against Rennes and last weekend's league game against Brighton was

called off as a result.

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Sources have told ESPN that Spurs subsequently asked for their game against Leicester to be moved to allow them space to rearrange their clash with Rennes, which UEFA is insisting needs to be played before the end of the month.

Spurs are already facing major fixture congestion given last month's away game at Burnley was also postponed due to heavy snow and Conte told a news conference: "For me, it is very difficult to speak about this topic.

"For sure, the Premier League didn't want to postpone the game against Leicester, maybe because we have to play against Burnley and Brighton. We postponed two games before. I can understand, we can understand."

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers also confirmed they asked to rearrange Thursday's game after reporting nine players absent through either illness or COVID-19. The Premier League judges each case on a game-by-game basis and sources have told ESPN that other clubs have had requests rejected both this season and last.

Spurs are facing the prospect of being knocked out of the Europa Conference League given they need to beat Rennes in their final Group G home match to secure a play-off place against Rapid Vienna for a place in the round of 16.

Sources have told ESPN that during discussions, Spurs have offered to play the game in France if it would help find a solution.