Barça's Aguero confirms retirement from football: My health comes first

The tears were rolling down his face before Sergio Aguero could even confirm that a heart condition has forced him to retire from football.

Aguero made the announcement at an event held at Camp Nou on Wednesday, with the entire Barcelona first-team squad and Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola among the attendees.

"This appearance is to announce I have decided to stop playing professional football," Aguero said. "It is a very difficult moment. The decision I have taken for my health; the problem I had a month and a half ago.

"I have been in good hands with the medical staff. I made the decision 10 days ago after doing everything possible to have some hope of playing on. I am very proud of my career. I always dreamed of a professional career since the first time I touched a ball at five.

"I feel OK right now. Obviously, the first two weeks were really difficult. When they did the first physical test on me, the medical staff told me there was a very big possibility I would not be able to continue playing.

"I am still processing everything. Then they called me to tell me it was definitive. Right now, I am OK, but I know it was difficult."

On his future, he added: "I want to be happy away from football and enjoy the moments you miss as a player. A lot of people think it's easy, but it isn't. Training every day, travelling, playing... I am going to remain linked to football, that's for sure."