International Football
Sergio Aguero set to announce retirement from football
Argentina star footballer, Sergio Aguero is expected to announce his retirement from football later this Wednesday.
This is sequel to his lingering heart problems. Sports Village Square recalls that the problem manifested in the November 2017 friendly match Argentina had with Nigeria in which the player had to be rushed to the hospital at half time.
He had since been diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia after experiencing chest pains 41 minutes into his first start for Barcelona last month.
The striker was initially told to rest for three months, but according to Spanish publication, Marca, Aguero is now planning to step away from football permanently at just 33 years old.
Aguero joined Barcelona on a free transfer last summer from Manchester City and was making his first start for his new club against Alaves when he experienced chest pains.
The striker required on-pitch medical attention shortly before half-time having complained of dizziness.
There was growing distress in the stadium as Aguero lay flat on pitch, having gone down moments after he had his hand placed on his chest.
Barca’s medical staff rushed on the pitch to assist Aguero and looked to place him on a stretcher, before the striker eventually got up and slowly walked off the pitch unaided.
The Argentinian spent then next two days in hospital and was diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia after undergoing several tests.
He was subsequently told to rest for three months while ‘the effectiveness of treatment is evaluated’.
However, it has now been revealed that the severity of his condition was greater than first thought.
As a result, Aguero will reportedly announce his retirement from football at a special ceremony at the club on Wednesday.
Speaking after the incident took place, Aguero thanked the Barcelona supporters for the messages of support he had received.
Aguero said: ‘Hey Culers! Sending you all a big hug! Thank you for all the messages of support. Now it’s time to recover and wait for more news. Sending you all a big hug.’
The incident also prompted an outpouring of support at his former club Manchester City.
Among those to send their well wishes was manager Pep Guardiola. He said: ‘I spoke with his agent.
‘It’s difficult news for him and his family. We wish him well from all our people. Our chairman, we wish him a safe recovery. Health and life more important than anything else.
‘He is in good hands, he takes care of himself, we wish him a safe recovery and come back if he can – otherwise enjoy his life and what he has done. Be careful and be safe for the rest of his life.’
Brazil will round off their 2025 calendar with two friendly matches in Europe next month, taking on Senegal and Tunisia as part of their preparations for the 2026 World Cup, the Brazilian FA (CBF) announced on Thursday.
The five-time world champions, managed by Carlo Ancelotti, will face Senegal on November 15 at Emirates Stadium in London and, three days later, they will meet Tunisia in Lille, France.
The CBF announced that these fixtures were designed to “provide the team with valuable experience against African opposition” ahead of next year’s tournament in North America.
After the conclusion of the South American qualifiers, the choice of opponents follows October’s encounters against Asian teams, which saw Brazil beat South Korea 5-0 but suffer a stunning first defeat to Japan.
With coach Ancelotti facing limited preparation time after arriving in May from Real Madrid, the matches form part of a broader plan to expose Brazil to a variety of playing styles in preparation for next year’s the World Cup.
Looking ahead to March 2026, the CBF has indicated that Brazil’s next set of friendlies will likely be against top-level European nations, with the U.S. as the expected venue.
Ancelotti has been steadily implementing his vision for the squad and has emphasised the importance of adapting to diverse tactical challenges, particularly against teams from other continents.
CBF sources indicated that the plan for the three remaining international breaks would be to make final observations regarding players and tactical adjustments in November, lock in the starting line-up in March and strengthen ties with Brazilian fans with a final friendly at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana before departing for the tournament.
The upcoming friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia will provide an opportunity to test Brazil’s readiness against two of Africa’s strongest sides.
Senegal boast a formidable squad featuring Sadio Mane, Nicolas Jackson and Kalidou Koulibaly. They shocked Brazil 4-2 in their last encounter, a friendly played in Lisbon two years ago.
Tunisia, meanwhile, are known for their defensive organisation and have consistently performed well in African competitions.
Back in September they were the second African team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup with two games to spare.
-Reuters
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Well-travelled Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte has been named as Guinea’s new coach, less than a month before their next round of World Cup qualifiers.
Duarte, 56, has twice previously coached Burkina Faso and taken charge of Gabon and Togo, while also coaching at clubs in Portugal, France, Tunisia, Angola and Saudi Arabia.
Guinea’s football federation gave no contract details when they made the announcement on Monday, but said they would be looking for Duarte to “restructure their national team”.
Guinea trail leaders Algeria by eight points in their World Cup qualifying group with four games remaining, leaving them with only a slim chance of qualification.
They play Somalia away on September 5 and then Algeria at home on September 8 in their next two qualifiers although a stadium ban means Guinea have moved their home game to Casablanca, Morocco.
-Reuters
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Veteran coach Louis van Gaal says he has been cured of cancer and is keen for a return to the higher levels of the game.
The 73-year-old announced three years ago that he was suffering from prostate cancer, but told a Dutch television talk show, “I’m no longer bothered by cancer.”
When he announced his illness, Van Gaal was the coach of the Dutch national team, but he has not worked since the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
“Two years ago, I had a few operations. It was all bad then. But it all worked out in the end. I have check-ups every few months, and that’s going well. I’m getting fitter and fitter,” he said.
Van Gaal, whose career has included stints at Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United, reiterated a lack of interest in returning to club management but said becoming the national coach of a top-tier country could tempt him back.
He now serves as a special advisor to Ajax.
-Reuters
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