International Football
Sergio Aguero tearfully announces retirement
As earlier foretold, Argentina and Barcelona star player, Sergio Aguero on Wednesday announced his retirement from football.
The sad news comes just six months after Aguero joined Barcelona, moving to Camp Nou after a stellar decade spent at reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.
At the Etihad, the Argentina star became a bona-fide Premier League legend, also becoming the club’s record goal-scorer with 260 goals in 390 games, and winning five league titles.
The 33-year-old moved to Spain in the summer to team up with close pal Lionel Messi for the first time at club level – only to see Messi depart for PSG amid Barca’s financial issues.
And now Aguero’s own Barcelona career is at a premature end, following a heart scare during the first-half of Barcelona’s La Liga clash with Alavés in October.
Aguero fell to the turf, holding his chest while in discomfort as club medics rushed on. After a lengthy spell of treatment on the pitch, Aguero was able to stand up and walk out of action, the striker was then swiftly sent for cardiological tests.
Having seen the results of the tests, Barcelona stated how the Argentine would be sidelined for three months as he undertook a “diagnostic and therapeutic process.
Sadly, that process has been cut short as Aguero confirms his stunning, trophy-laden 18-year career will come to premature and unexpected end at the age of 33.
“I have decided to stop playing professional football, it is a very difficult moment, announced Aguero.
“The decision I have made, I have taken it for my health, because of the problem I had a month and a half ago.
“I was in the hands of the medical staff and they told me the best thing would be to stop playing.
“So 10 days ago I made that decision, I want to tell everyone I did everything possible to have some hope but there wasn’t much.
“I am very proud of the career I have had, I have always dreamt of playing football
“I never thought I would get to Europe, so I want to show my gratitude to everyone.
“From Atletico Madrid, who took a bet on me when I was 18 years old, to Manchester City, you all know how I feel about Man City, I’m very grateful they looked after me very well. I did everything the best I could there.
“And then everyone here at Barca. Everyone’s been incredible. It’s without doubt one of the best teams in the world. I’m very grateful.
“And then obviously the Argentinian national team. I’m very grateful for everyone here. People who worked with me. Also to my team-mates and most recently those at Barca.
“I think I always did my best to help them win. I want to thank my teammates who helped me to grow.
“I don’t know what awaits me in the next life but I know there are loads of people who love me. And I’m grateful to the press that are here.
“Most of them have treated me well! But no worries, it’s their work. I will remember all the amazing things, so thank you all.”
Speaking to reporters, he would add: “I feel OK right now. Obviously the first two weeks were really difficult.
“When they did the first physical test on me in the clinic, the medical staff called me to tell me there was a big possibility that I couldn’t keep playing.
“I tried to process it all. It wasn’t easy. I still process everything that the doctors told me straight up, ‘that’s enough.’ It took a few more days to process it all.
“Obviously it’s better happening now when I’m 33 rather than when I was younger.
“But like I said, I’m happy and proud of the career I’ve had. I’m fortunate it has happened to me now than rather than before. I’m happy for the career I’ve had.
“I think I can be happy. As I said, I think I did everything I could for myself and my clubs.”
Tributes have already poured in for a Premier League great, with Pep Guardiola in attendance at Camp Nou.
Joan Laporta, the Barcelona president sitting alongside Aguero, said: “I’m here next to you. It’s as if of all the teams you’ve played for are right here next to me. Atletico Madrid, Independiente, City, Argentinian FA. Spanish football FA as well.
“Sergio I think as we just saw on the video, we are left with the joy and excitement of what you could have been here at Barca. You have all our support and anything you need from your condition you can have it.
“For all the clubs, everywhere you’ve played, you’ve achieved so much. The friendships you’ve made.
“We would have liked you to come here earlier and now a new journey awaits and I hope that it would be just as successful and we wish you all the best, Sergio.”
Manchester City tweeted: “King Kun. Everyone at Manchester City would like to take this opportunity to thank Sergio Aguero for his incredible contribution to our success over the last decade and wish him well in his retirement.”
Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarek added: “The facts speak for themselves – Sergio is quite simply the most ruthless striker in the history of the Premier League.
“It is extraordinary that his statistics, more reflective of two careers, are in fact those of a player whose time in the game was cut short.
“His impact lives not only in the club that we are today, but in the club that we will be for many years to come. He has earned the adoration of the City family, and the respect of the football family the world over.”
Aguero’s former Man City boss Roberto Mancini sent his well-wishes at an award ceremony in Italy recently.
“I’m very sorry, I wish him the best of things,” Mancini said at the Gran Gala Gazzetta Awards. “I’m so sorry to see him leaving so soon.
“I wanted him at City, he’s the foreigner with the highest goal average in England.
“I’m sorry he has to leave football so soon.”
In five games at Barcelona, Aguero notched just one goal for the Blaugrana – but in trademark fashion, it did come in the biggest game of all as he notched in El Clasico – albeit a consolation as Real Madrid claimed a 2-1 win.
Aguero played 101 times for his country during a 15-year international career, scoring 41 goals.
The ‘Finalissima’ match between Spain and Argentina that was scheduled to be held in Qatar has been cancelled due to the conflict in the Middle East, while the South American side rejected multiple alternatives, UEFA said on Sunday.
The U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran have affected countries throughout the Gulf, disrupting travel in some of the world’s busiest transit hubs and forcing several sporting events to be cancelled due to safety concerns.
The contest between European champions Spain and Copa America winners Argentina was scheduled for March 27 at Doha’s Lusail Stadium, where fans would have had the opportunity to watch Lionel Messi go head-to-head with Lamine Yamal.
UEFA said they held discussions with the organising authorities in Qatar and concluded that the match could not take place due to the “current political situation” in the region.
“It is a source of great disappointment to UEFA and the organisers that circumstances and timing have denied the teams of the chance to compete for this prestigious prize in Qatar,” UEFA said in a statement.
Qatar’s Local Organising Committee said airspace disruption and travel restrictions led to the cancellation of its Qatar Football Festival, where the host country, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Serbia were also set to play friendly games this month.
The Football Association of Serbia later announced they would play away in Spain on March 27 and host Saudi Arabia four days later.
OTHER ALTERNATIVES REJECTED BY ARGENTINA
The Finalissima’s cancellation was not just about Qatar’s security concerns, however, with UEFA saying they explored other feasible alternatives, but they proved to be ‘unacceptable’ to the Argentinian Football Association (AFA).
UEFA first offered to stage the match at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid with a 50:50 split of supporters in the stadium.
A second option was to stage the Finalissima over two legs — at the Bernabeu on March 27 and the second leg in Buenos Aires during an international window before the next Euros and Copa America in 2028.
However, the AFA rejected both options. UEFA said Argentina made a counter offer to play the game after the World Cup but Spain had no available dates.
“Ultimately, UEFA sought a commitment from Argentina that, if a neutral venue in Europe could be found, the game could go ahead on 27 March… or on the alternative date of 30 March. This proposal was also rejected,” UEFA added.
SPAIN WERE READY TO PLAY
The Spanish football federation (RFEF) said they had offered Argentina “all possible options” in collaboration with UEFA to ensure the match went ahead, adding that they had the organisational capacity to stage the clash on short notice.
“From the very outset, the Federation has expressed its absolute commitment to ensuring this match goes ahead, as it believes it brings prestige and international reputation at a crucial time in a World Cup year,” the RFEF said.
“Furthermore, it has worked tirelessly to achieve this. Spain was prepared to play, as has always been stated.”
The 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada kicks off on June 11.
The 2022 edition of the Finalissima was held at Wembley Stadium in London where Argentina beat Italy 3-0.
-Reuters
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Soccer chiefs from Europe and South America will hold a final meeting before a Thursday deadline to decide whether and where this month’s “Finalissima” between Spain and Argentina will be played, with London emerging as the leading candidate after doubts over Doha, multiple sources told Reuters on Tuesday.
The match between European champions Spain and Copa America holders Argentina had been scheduled for March 27 at Lusail Stadium in Doha.
However, it has become increasingly unlikely that Qatar will host the fixture after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.
The Spanish FA (RFEF) has been pushing for a swift resolution, mindful that the March international break is viewed as vital preparation ahead of the June-July World Cup in North America.
“I know that negotiations are underway,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente told Spanish Public Radio (RNE) on Monday. “The first thing, as a society, is to stop the conflict, but once you are immersed in it and you don’t know how long it will last, the solution would be, as long as you can’t play there, to find another venue as soon as possible.
Wembley Stadium staged the previous edition in 2022, when Argentina beat Italy, but it is set to host England v Uruguay on March 27. London, however, has other stadiums capable of staging the showpiece, leaving the English capital as the most likely alternative should Doha be ruled out, sources confirmed.
ALTERNATIVE OPPONENTS CONSIDERED
While keen to face Argentina and high-profile players such as Lionel Messi, sources told Reuters that Spain had made clear their priority was not to waste the last window of international fixtures before the World Cup and they were already contemplating alternative opponents.
With Spain also due to face Egypt three days later, any change would require agreement between the RFEF and European soccer body UEFA, South American confederation CONMEBOL, global governing body FIFA and the Argentine FA (AFA).
The RFEF, AFA and UEFA did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.
A spokesperson for South American confederation CONMEBOL told Reuters that several meetings between the parties had taken place in recent days but did not confirm Thursday’s deadline or London as the preferred venue.
Madrid was initially proposed by the RFEF but rejected by the AFA, who preferred a neutral venue rather than giving Spain home advantage.
Morocco offered to stage the game, but the RFEF was unwilling to back their Mediterranean neighbours amid tensions behind the scenes over the 2030 World Cup, which Spain, Morocco and Portugal will co-host. Both Spain and Morocco are campaigning to stage the final.
Miami was also considered, with Messi based there at Inter Miami, but Hard Rock Stadium is hosting the Miami Open tennis tournament at the same time.
-Reuters
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International Football
Spain-Argentina ‘Finalissima’ in Qatar at risk amid US, Israel attacks on Iran
The match between Spain and Argentina, tagged “Finalissima” in Doha, is in doubt after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.
The contest between European Championship winners Spain and Copa America champions Argentina was scheduled for March 27 at Doha’s Lusail Stadium, with potential big-name draws including Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi.
“Qatar Football Association announces the postponement of all tournaments, competitions and matches, effective from today and until further notice,” the association said in a statement on Sunday.
“The new dates for the resumption of competitions will be announced in due course through the Association’s official channels.”
The final call on whether to postpone the game rests with event organisers UEFA and CONMEBOL.
The Bahrain Football Association postponed all its matches until further notice, while the Asian Football Confederation on Sunday announced it was delaying Champions League Elite fixtures in the region.
The Asian Champions League Two, currently at the quarter-final stage, has also been impacted, along with games in the Challenge League.
Countries across the Middle East have been on high alert since Saturday, when the U.S. and Israel launched air strikes against Iran, aimed at diminishing Iran’s military capability.
Iran retaliated by attacking U.S. targets around the region, including in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
On Sunday, Qatar’s interior ministry reported a fire in an industrial zone after debris fell from an intercepted missile.
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