Former Manchester City and Barcelona striker Sergio Aguero has revealed that he had health concerns in the months leading up to his cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis.
Aguero was sadly forced to retire in December, a month after receiving the diagnosis.
In October, the Argentinian had to be substituted during Barcelona’s 1-1 draw with Alaves in La Liga. He went down with breathing problems and had to be treated by medical staff on the field.
Aguero was then admitted to hospital for further examinations. Cardiac arrhythmia was diagnosed, and Barcelona stated that he could be out of action for at least three months.
However, the 33-year-old went on to announce his retirement from football.
What did Aguero say after his retirement?
Speaking at a press conference, Aguero confirmed: “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. I want to tell everyone I did everything possible to have hope, but there wasn’t very much.”
His cardiologist, Roberto Peidro, told Argentinian radio (as per the Daily Mirror) that Aguero had a “very small scar” in his heart area. Aguero suffered from a previous cardiac issue in 2004.
Peidro then claimed that a virus – not Covid – suffered at any point since then, which had perhaps gone undetected, would have been the “most common scenario” that caused the arrhythmia.
In February, whilst speaking to Spanish journalist Miquel Blazquez, Aguero said he felt his heart “just doesn’t work”.
Now, Aguero has revealed details about the lead-up to his breathing problems against Alaves.
Sergio Aguero reveals past health concerns
Speaking on the Spanish TV show ‘El Hormiguero‘, Aguero explained (quotes via Marca): “I started to feel bad in pre-season, with strange symptoms. But I thought that it was because of the training sessions, the heat.
“Then I got injured, and I was out for a month, but I still felt uncomfortable. I then started to train with the team, and in the training sessions, I felt quite short of breath, until one day, I told the doctor that I was feeling bad.
“Then I started feeling quite dizzy, and the arrhythmia started. The doctor did a check on me, and everything was fine. But the following week, it happened to me in the stadium [against Alaves].
“I started to feel bad, and I wanted to shout at the referee to stop the game, but I couldn’t get the words out. Then I started to feel quite dizzy, so I grabbed a defender’s hand and asked him to stop the game. I felt very dizzy, and that’s when the arrhythmia started.”
Aguero then revealed the process behind deciding his future.
“The doctor told me that I could play but that it could happen again and it could be worse,” he said.
“And after thinking about it a lot, I said: ‘That’s it. I’m 33 years old. I have a son and my life in front of me’.”
Since retirement, Aguero confirmed to ESPN that he has started light jogging again, and he can also play golf.
He was in Manchester last week to attend the unveiling of his official Manchester City statue at the Etihad Stadium.
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