Five of the saddest football retirements of all time

Barcelona striker Sergio Aguero sadly announced his retirement from football on Wednesday morning at the age of 33.

The legendary striker made the decision for the sake of his health. He was substituted during a La Liga fixture in October after feeling chest discomfort.

Aguero had to go to the hospital, with Spanish outlet Marca later reporting a diagnosis of arrhythmia.

The initial prognosis was at least three months on the sidelines. However, a little over a month after the incident, the Argentinian has now quit the beautiful game.

The striker broke down in tears as he announced the news during a pre-planned press conference at the Nou Camp.

It was undoubtedly one of the saddest football retirements we have seen. He is not the first player to retire for medical reasons in recent years. Ryan Mason had to stop playing after fracturing his skull. Fabrice Muamba, meanwhile, retired on medical advice after suffering a cardiac arrest during an FA Cup tie in March 2012.

Let’s take a look at five of the other saddest football retirements of all time:

Marco van Basten

Marco van Basten was one of the most feared strikers on the planet during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The Dutchman scored nearly a goal a game over 172 appearances for Ajax before starring in an AC Milan side that won two European Cups.

One of his most memorable moments on the international stage was a superb hat-trick against England at Euro 1988. And who can forget the incredible volley he scored in the same tournament?

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Unfortunately, ankle problems plagued Van Basten’s career. His last official match for Milan was the 1992/93 Champions League final, which they lost 1-0.

After undergoing his third ankle surgery, he subsequently spent two years on the sidelines. The forward announced his retirement at the age of just 30. It was one of the saddest football retirements of all time.

Eric Cantona

Eric Cantona was known as a maverick on the pitch, but even his retirement at 30 in 1997 came as a shock.

The Frenchman had played a significant role in revolutionising Manchester United into the global force they went on to become under Sir Alex Ferguson. There were controversial incidents, yes – kung-fu kicking a Crystal Palace fan immediately comes to mind. But there was no doubting Cantona’s genius.

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His decision to retire was unexpected and sad at the same time. There has perhaps never been a player like him since.

Ronaldo

Ronaldo was perhaps the greatest centre-forward ever to play the game. The Brazilian had it all – pace, strength, power and incredible finishing ability.

The early numbers were incredible. 34 goals in 37 appearances in his only season at Barcelona in 1996/97. 34 goals in 47 appearances in his first season at Inter Milan. Put simply, this was the best striker on the planet.

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Then injury struck. Ronaldo missed five months of the 1999/00 season due to a knee tendon injury. But worse was to come.

Just six minutes into his comeback game, the forward suffered a horrific full rupture of his kneecap tendons. He missed much of the following two seasons but managed to return for the 2002 World Cup, where he helped Brazil to glory.

Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid that summer and spent four-and-a-half largely injury-free seasons at the Bernabeu. He eventually moved on, and injury finally got the better of him at 34 years of age, and he announced his retirement. Despite a remarkable career, you often think about what could have been.

Dean Ashton

When Dean Ashton rose through the Premier League ranks during the first decade of the century, it seemed inevitable that he would represent England.

He was called up to the national squad in 2006 aged 22, off the back of scoring in the FA Cup final against Liverpool.

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However, he suffered a broken ankle due to a tackle from Shaun Wright-Phillips in England training and missed an entire year of action.

Ashton returned and netted 11 goals in 35 Premier League appearances in 2007/08. That England cap finally arrived too. However, in December 2009, he was forced to retire at the age of 27 after failing to recover from his long-term ankle injury.

Paolo Maldini

Given Paolo Maldini retired at the age of 41, you might be questioning why he is on this list.

But the Italian defender essentially personified AC Milan during his time there. He spent his entire 25-year playing career with the club, becoming their all-time leading appearance maker in the process.

Maldini won 25 trophies with Milan, including five European Cups/Champions Leagues. He was present for all the big moments – the team’s backbone, whether that be at centre-back or left-back.

His retirement in 2009 was emotional because it marked the end of an era for the club. The Italian giants have won just three trophies since that date. They last secured the Scudetto in the 2010/11 season. Stefano Pioli’s team are now inching back to the top, but they’ve still got a long way to go to match Maldini and co.

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