Clubs and players pay tribute to retiring Sergio Aguero

Aguero has been forced to retire
Aguero has been forced to retire / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit

Clubs and footballers around the world have paid tribute to Sergio Aguero, who has been forced to retire from the game due to a cardiac arrhythmia.

Following weeks of speculation, Aguero announced on Wednesday that he would not be able continue playing professional football as he has been advised by medical staff to stop.

During a press conference with Barcelona, he said: “My health comes first. Medical staff have told me it’s best to stop playing and so I’m now leaving Barcelona and retiring from professional football."

Aguero is a Premier League legend, scoring 184 goals in the competition, with his most famous being the iconic winner against Queens Park Rangers that secured Manchester City the title on the final day of the 2011/12 season.

The Citizens have suitably given him a fitting send off.

He didn't get to play in as many Clasicos as he would have hoped when he joined Barcelona in the summer - his one Barça goal did actually come in the derby - but Real Madrid joined their fierce rivals in wishing the Argentine well for the future.

Old City goalkeeper Joe Hart, who played with Aguero 178 times during their time at City, also gave his thoughts, labelling the former Atletico Madrid and Independiente as a "great teammate and a good friend".

Kevin De Bruyne also posted a tribute. The pair combined for goals with regularity during their time together at the Etihad Stadium.

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “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.”

To round things off, let's give the final words to two of his former clubs - Atletico and Independiente.


For more from Jude Summerfield, follow him on Twitter!