Tag: Sergio Aguero

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TEARFUL SERGIO AGUERO ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM FOOTBALL

Sergio Aguero has retired from football at the age of 33 due to a heart condition.

The Barcelona striker announced the news at a press conference at the Nou Camp on Wednesday morning, where he addressed the media alongside club president Joan Laporta.

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

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 a cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).

An emotional and tearful 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.”

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.”

Club president Laporta said: “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.

“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.

“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.”

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BARCA’S SERGIO AGUERO TO MISS THREE MONTHS DUE TO CARDIOLOGICAL ISSUES

Barcelona striker Sergio Aguero will be unavailable for at least the next three months after undergoing “a diagnostic and therapeutic process” for a cardiological issue.

The 33-year-old former Manchester City forward was taken to hospital on Saturday after leaving the field early in Barca’s 1-1 draw at home to Alaves in LaLiga.

Aguero was making his first start at the Nou Camp since his summer transfer but his evening lasted just 41 minutes.

The Argentinian reported chest discomfort and appeared to be suffering breathing problems, although he managed to walk from the field as he was replaced by Philippe Coutinho.

A Barca statement on Monday read: “The first team player Sergio Aguero has been subjected to a diagnostic and therapeutic process by Dr Josep Brugada.

“He is unavailable for selection and during the next three months the effectiveness of treatment will be evaluated in order to determine his recovery process.

“The Argentine was taken to hospital for cardiological evaluation on Saturday following the Barca v Alaves game in which the Barca striker felt unwell in the first half and was replaced before half-time by Philippe Coutinho.”

Speaking ahead of Barca’s Champions League Group E match against Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine on Tuesday, caretaker coach Sergi Barjuan said Aguero remains “calm”.

Barjuan said: “I talked to him and he’s calm. He’s confined to his room but considering the situation he’s calm.”

Aguero’s former team Manchester City, for whom he scored a record-breaking 260 goals, sent a message of support and wished him well, as did former team-mate Raheem Sterling.

Sterling tweeted on Sunday: “Stay strong my brother @aguerosergiokun, we’re all with you. Get well soon.”

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BARCELONA’S SERGIO AGUERO TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AFTER CHEST PAIN EXPERIENCE

Barcelona striker Sergio Aguero has been admitted to hospital for a cardiac exam after experiencing chest pain during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Alaves.

Aguero, 33, had to be taken off before half-time after being attended to on the Camp Nou pitch by Barca’s medical team for a lengthy period of time.

The Argentina international was eventually able to walk off the field before being transferred to hospital where he underwent tests to determine the nature of the problem.

“The first team player Sergio Aguero reported chest discomfort and has been admitted to the hospital for a cardiac exam,” Barca said in a brief statement after the game.

Aguero will continue in hospital on Sunday to undergo further exams after suffering an arrhythmia during Saturday’s game.

Barca also lost Gerard Pique to a calf strain against Alaves to further increase their injury woes. Sergi Roberto, Ronald Araujo, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Ansu Fati, Ousmane Dembele and Martin Braithwaite all missed Saturday’s game with various fitness issues.

Aguero, who joined Barca from Manchester City in the summer on a free transfer, only made his debut for the club earlier in October after he injured his calf in preseason training.

He scored his first goal in the Clasico defeat to Real Madrid last weekend and followed that up with his first start in Wednesday’s surprise loss to Rayo Vallecano.

The game against Alaves marked his second start in a week as Barca’s winless run stretched to three games in LaLiga.

With interim coach Sergi Barjuan on the touch line following the dismissal of Ronald Koeman in midweek, Memphis Depay gave Barca the lead in the second half.

Luis Rioja equalised almost immediately for Alaves to earn a point for the Basque side and leave Barca languishing in ninth in the league table with 16 points from 11 games.

“It’s a bad point,” defender Jordi Alba told reporters after the game. “Anything other than three points is bad for Barca, but especially now seeing where we are in the standings.

“We did enough but we are struggling to score and it takes very little for teams to score against us. We are all trying but it’s tough.”

Barjuan will remain in charge for Tuesday’s must-win game against Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League as the search for a new manager goes on.

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BARCELONA SUFFER FURTHER BLOW AS SERGIO AGUERO SIDELINED FOR 10 WEEKS

Barcelona have received an injury blow with the news that striker Sergio Aguero is set to be sidelined for 10 weeks with a calf issue.

The LaLiga giants are still reeling from the departure of Lionel Messi, who is reportedly close to joining Paris St Germain in the coming days.

Now they will be without Messi’s Argentina team-mate, with Aguero’s Barcelona debut delayed due to his injury setback.

“Tests carried out on first team player Kun Aguero have confirmed a right calf injury. He will be out around ten weeks,” Barcelona tweeted on Monday morning.

Aguero, 33, moved to the Nou Camp at the start of the summer when his contract at Manchester City expired.

He spent 10 seasons at City, winning five Premier League titles – including his injury-time winner against QPR in a final-day victory which saw them pip rivals Manchester United to the crown.

Aguero left England as the highest-scoring foreign player in Premier League history, hitting 184 goals while at the Etihad Stadium.

A couple of injury-hit campaigns saw him drop down the pecking order, with his final appearance coming as a substitute in the Champions League final defeat to Chelsea.

However, his start to life at the 26-time Spanish champions has been a tough one as he has seen friend and compatriot Messi leave and injury rule him out of the opening months of the campaign.

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Emerson becomes Barcelona’s third arrival in three days after Aguero, Garcia join

Barcelona have completed their third transfer of the week activating a clause to recall Emerson Royal from Real Betis for a fee of €9 million.

The Brazil international signed a five-year contract with Barca when he moved to Spain from Atletico Mineiro in 2019, but spent the last two-and-a-half years at Betis.

Barca agreed the original deal in collaboration with Betis, with each club paying €6m and Barca reserving an option to pay Betis €9m this summer to end the loan and take the player to Camp Nou. Betis will also be due 20% of any future transfer.

Both clubs paid €6m each to bring Emerson to Europe, with Barca reserving an option to sign him outright from Betis this summer for €9m. Betis will also be due 20% of any future transfer.

Juan Miranda has moved in the other direction. The left-back, who spent last season on loan at Betis, has returned to the Seville-based club for free, although Barca will be due to 40% of any future transfer.

Emerson, 22, becomes the third player to make the move to Camp Nou this week following the arrivals of Manchester City duo Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia.

In just over two years at Betis, he has been a regular at right-back, making 79 appearances across all competitions and helping the club qualify for the Europa League this season.

He is with the Brazil national team preparing for this week’s World Cup qualifiers and could be involved in the Copa America later this month in his homeland.

Barca have now added two right-backs in the last year. Emerson follows Sergino Dest, who joined from Ajax for around €20m last September, and the two will compete for a place in the team next season.

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AGUERO ON TARGET AS MANCHESTER CITY EDGE CLOSER TO PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE WITH WIN AT CRYSTAL PALACE

Sergio Aguero provided a reminder of his goalscoring brilliance with the opener in Manchester City’s 2-0 win at Crystal Palace to put the Premier League leaders on the verge of another title.

After a frustrating first 45 minutes in south London, it was City’s record goalscorer who broke the deadlock with a superb finish and Ferran Torres wrapped up the points soon after following a fine curled effort.

Pep Guardiola’s side clinched the Carabao Cup last weekend and took a big step towards the Champions League final on Wednesday, but still found the energy and quality to seal a 25th top-flight win of the campaign.

It means defeat for Manchester United on Sunday at home to Liverpool will crown City the best in England once again with stalwart Aguero making the most of a rare starting berth to edge his team towards more silverware.

Palace had lost the most recent meeting 4-0 back in January, but they showed their intent early on at Selhurst Park with two efforts from range.

Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Aguero were given opportunities from the off in the capital after they failed to make it off the bench in Wednesday’s win in Paris and it was the England international who had City’s first genuine chance of the contest.

Good defending by the recalled Tyrick Mitchell contributed towards the winger only firing wide to ensure his goal drought continued.

While Guardiola, who made eight changes, saw his team enjoy the majority of possession, the hosts looked a threat on the counter-attack and almost took the lead in the 28th minute.

Andros Townsend and Joel Ward combined well on the right after Palace had switched play well and the latter had a cross blocked which dropped to Christian Benteke, but he was denied by Ederson from close range.

The champions-elect had been warned and they nearly produced the perfect response when Jesus volleyed past Vicente Guaita eight minutes later from a Fernandinho cross. The offside flag had been raised though and a brief VAR check confirmed it was the right decision.

Aguero, who has struggled with fitness and form during the last 12 months, squandered a decent opening minutes later which meant it stayed goalless at the break with City failing to register a shot on target.

Scott Dann’s timely intervention kept the score 0-0 after Torres had attempted to square for Jesus inside the six-yard box, but it was a brief reprieve for Roy Hodgson’s side with the deadlock broken after 57 minutes.

It was a familiar source for City as Benjamin Mendy picked out Aguero in the area and he controlled before his strike was rifled into the roof of the net in trademark clinical fashion.

This was only the Argentinian’s second goal in the Premier League this season, but like so often in the past it had moved the Manchester club a step closer to the title.

Winger Torres was another eager to impress and he made it 2-0 within two minutes of Aguero’s effort to essentially wrap up the points.

A curled shot from outside the area through a crowd of bodies beat Guaita and sparked big celebrations from the City players on and off the pitch.

Sterling and Aymeric Laporte could have added further gloss, but the post and a heroic block from Benteke ensured the deficit stayed at two.

City will now have an eye on events at Old Trafford on Sunday where a Liverpool victory could clinch them a third league title in four years.

Guardiola’s focus will most likely be on Paris St Germain’s visit this coming Tuesday where they can take another step towards winning a treble.

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AGUERO IS IRREPLACEABLE – GUARDIOLA

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola insists Sergio Aguero is “irreplaceable” and “helped to put the club in a higher level”, as the striker prepares to leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season.

City’s all-time record goalscorer will leave when his contract expires this summer and Guardiola has paid a glowing tribute to the 32-year-old, who has won four Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and five League Cups during his decade-long stay.

Guardiola believes Aguero was one of the players who established the club as a force in the Premier League and has backed him to score some important goals in what remains of this season, with City chasing an unprecedented quadruple.

“Sergio is irreplaceable,” the City boss told Sky Sports. “I could say in terms of numbers he can be replaceable, it’s not easy when you see more than 360 games played and more than 250 goals, the amount of titles…

“So it’s the legend, the best striker this club has ever had for this century through the years, but is irreplaceable in the souls, in the hearts, in the minds of our fans, of our people, of the players that played alongside him and all the managers who worked with him.

“We were so lucky, the guys who came after him – me as a manager for example. We took over the club and he was one of the guys like Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, David Silva, many players helped this club make a step forward and of course he was one of them.

“He helped us find a club organisation in a higher level. When he came here the club was in one level, and he helped to put the club in a higher level. And that’s why all the people are still here, and of course the fans always will be grateful.

“Without them, what we achieved in the past four or five years would not be possible, that’s for sure.

“I think he still has interesting goals to score this season.”

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MANCITY CLUB LEGEND, SERGIO AGUERO TO LEAVE CLUB IN SUMMER

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will leave the club this summer when his contract expires, the Premier League outfit have confirmed.

The Argentina international is City’s record goal-scorer having amassed 257 goals in 384 appearances since arriving from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2011 and is the highest-scoring overseas player in Premier League history.

Aguero, who turns 33 in June, is most famous for his added-time goal in the final league match of the 2011-12 season against QPR which secured the club’s first Premier League title.

“Sergio’s contribution to Manchester City over the last 10 years cannot be overstated,” said City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

“His legend will be indelibly etched into the memories of everyone who loves the club and maybe even in those who simply love football.

“This is not yet the moment for farewell words and speeches. There is still much to achieve in the remainder of the time we have with Sergio, and we look forward to his contributions to the challenges which lay ahead.

“In the meantime, it gives me great pleasure to announce that we will be commissioning an artist to create a statue of Sergio to live at the Etihad Stadium alongside the ones under construction for Vincent (Kompany) and David (Silva).

“And we look forward to the opportunity to bid Sergio a fitting farewell at the end of the season.”

City are working on plans to mark his departure on the final home game of the season against Everton and they are hopeful thousands of supporters will be permitted to attend Etihad Stadium when lockdown measures are eased further.

In addition to becoming the club’s record goal-scorer – which he achieved by overtaking Eric Brook’s 78-year record with a goal in the 4-2 win at Napoli in 2017 – he also has a Premier League high 12 hat-tricks which he achieved with a treble against Aston Villa in January 2020 to surpass Alan Shearer’s landmark.

Aguero has won four Premier League titles – with a fifth looking likely in his final season. He could also still add to his tally of one FA Cup and five League Cups before his departure.

“When a cycle comes to an end, many sensations arise,” Aguero, who has struggled with injuries and Covid-19 this season, wrote on Twitter.

“A huge sense of satisfaction and pride remains in me for having played with Manchester City for a whole 10 seasons – unusual for a professional player in this day and age.

“Ten seasons with major achievement, throughout which I was able to become the top historic goalscorer and forging an indestructible bond with all those who love this club – people who will always be in my heart.”

He added: “I was to join during the reconstruction era of 2011, and with the guidance of the owners and the contribution of many players, we earned a place among the greatest in the world.

“The task to maintain this well-deserved privileged position will remain on others.

“As for myself, I will continue to give it my utmost for the rest of the season to win more titles and bring more joy to the fans.

“Then, a new stage with new challenges will begin and I am fully ready to face them with the same passion and professionalism that I have always dedicated to continue competing at the highest level.”

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AGUERO GOES INTO ISOLATION AS CLOSE CONTACT IS COVID-19 POSITIVE.

Sergio Aguero missed Manchester City’s FA Cup third-round victory over Birmingham after being asked to self-isolate, manager Pep Guardiola has revealed.

City had hoped to include their record goalscorer in their starting line-up for the first time since October in Sunday’s tie at the Etihad Stadium as he returns to fitness following knee trouble.

Plans had to be changed, however, when it was discovered the Argentinian has been a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.

Guardiola was unsure how long the player would be absent for and if he would be available for Wednesday’s Premier League clash against Brighton, even if he returned a negative test.

The City boss said: “Unfortunately he was in contact, more than usual, with one person who is positive. That is why he must isolate for a few days.

“I don’t know [how long for] exactly because, like all of us, he has been tested six times in last 10-15 days.

“He is negative. Today he is negative too but the protocol says in some cases they must isolate. In others we are still in touch and playing football.

“Unfortunately he could not play today.”

Aguero’s presence was hardly required as City eased to a 3-0 victory over their Championship opponents with an early double from Bernardo Silva and a further strike from Phil Foden. All three goals came inside the first 33 minutes and effectively ended the game as a contest.

Guardiola said: “Yes the first objective was done – qualify for next round. We did it with a really good first half.

“We made nice goals. I am happy for Bernardo. He made two goals and could have scored more. The first half was really good.

“In the second half they changed the set-up. We struggled a little bit to find our spaces but we are in the next round.”

The victory came four days after City, the 2019 FA Cup winners, reached the Carabao Cup final for a fourth successive year.

Guardiola said: “If you follow the trajectory for our team, we don’t drop one competition. That is why we are in finals four times in a row in the Carabao Cup and why we won the FA Cup two seasons ago.”

It was only when City eased off in the second half that Birmingham began to create any openings.

Substitute Jeremie Bela twice tested goalkeeper Zack Steffen and shot narrowly over in the latter stages but prior to that the visitors were unable to make an impression.

Manager Aitor Karanka, whose side have now lost six of their last seven games, said: “We finished the game in the way we should have started.

“We were not as aggressive as we should have been but in the second half everything changed. We approached it much better. I wanted to play 90 minutes in the way we played the last 45.

The main thing when you are coming to this kind of game is to be aggressive and strong. If you allow them to play, if you are jogging behind the ball instead of being aggressive, the only thing that can happen is what happened.

“I was pleased when I saw their first XI because it meant Pep respected us. We wanted to do something here. We showed the second half we should have been more aggressive from the beginning.”

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GUARDIOLA IN DOUBTS OVER AGUERO RETURN DATE FROM INJURY.

Pep Guardiola admitted he was unsure about the timetable for Sergio Aguero’s return to Manchester City’s team.

The striker, 32, has hardly played this season due to ongoing issues related to a knee injury.

Aguero is expected to return this week but the City boss issued a note of caution, saying: ‘Sergio depends how he wakes up. He makes good training sessions and then has some niggles.

He woke up with a little problem in his knee. We know the injury he had is not easy for the recovery.

‘We have to handle it as best as possible.’ In Aguero’s absence City had struggled for goals prior to the thumping 5-0 win against Burnley.

Despite the result, Guardiola warned his forwards that they must start hitting individual targets or face sitting on the bench — suggesting he is ready to ditch mass rotation in matches over the next month and will only pick players on performances.

It’s not about rotation now,’ Guardiola said. ‘The players who don’t make mistakes — like John Stones in defence — deserve to play more games.

‘The goals today help us, of course — especially for Riyad Mahrez. Gabriel Jesus has to score goals too.’

Mahrez answered his critics with a hat-trick, while Guardiola started both Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden on the bench.

He added: ‘Sterling when he plays has to score. They have to score more goals. That is why they are here. It depends on the player, their performance on the pitch.’