ไทย
English
中國人
Sergio Agüero's post-retirement playing days have been put on hold indefinitely after the Manchester City icon suffered a serious Achilles injury during a match for players aged 35 and over.
Agüero, whose professional career came to a sudden end in 2021 when chest pains during just his fifth appearance for Barcelona were diagnosed as cardiac arrhythmia, was playing for a veterans' side representing his childhood club Independiente.
The match was against River Plate in Argentina's +35 Senior League Cup, a game Agüero's side ultimately won 2–0 despite losing him to a "heavy blow" to his left ankle.
The 37-year-old had to be assisted off the field by both teammates and opponents, after which he posted a video to his Instagram story to describe what had occurred.
"I had an MRI and it was confirmed that I tore my [Achilles] tendon," Agüero disclosed.
"Tomorrow, I will begin the tests and I'll need to have surgery. There's no other choice. I want to thank all the lads from Independiente and also those from River who showed their concern."
Following his operation, Agüero shared a cheerful photo from his hospital bed.
Sergio Agüero Facing Lengthy Recovery
Since hanging up his boots, Agüero has been involved in the Kings League. He participated on the court in Spain in 2023, while his KRÜ FC side is currently taking part in Kings League Mexico in 2026.
But stepping back onto a full-sided pitch for the club he loved as a child was something entirely different.
Having departed Independiente for Atlético Madrid at just 18 years old, Agüero had always harbored hopes of returning someday. The heart condition discovered at 33—likely having anticipated extending his career beyond his two-year deal at Barcelona—meant that dream was never fully realized. Yet playing in veterans' matches, while not quite the same, still brought him closer to fulfilling it.
Just days before rupturing his Achilles, the former Argentina international spoke enthusiastically about the opportunity: "I'm going to be around here, so I hope to keep adding games."
Recovery from an Achilles rupture—widely regarded as soccer's most devastating injury, even more so than an ACL tear—can take a year or longer. It raises serious questions about when, or even whether, Agüero will play again.
Following news of the setback, a heartfelt social media message from Atlético read: "Kun, all the strength to get through this injury. You overcame them as a player and you'll do it again. We love you."