Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez has this evening provided his take on the widespread rumours surrounding the potential retirement of legendary hitman Sergio Aguero.
Kun concerns
The name of Argentine international Aguero has of course taken centre stage in the headlines over the course of the day to date.
This comes amid altogether concerning claims when it comes to the 33-year-old’s future in the game.
Late last month, Aguero was forced into an early departure from Barcelona’s La Liga meeting with Deportivo Alaves, after clutching at his chest in alarming fashion.
BARCELONA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 30: Sergio Aguero of FC Barcelona looks injured during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves at Camp Nou on October 30, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
In the aftermath of the clash, it was subsequently confirmed that the former Manchester City man had been taken to hospital to have his heart tested.
From here, Barcelona released a statement, confirming that the summer arrival at the club was set for a 3-month layoff, to undergo a ‘diagnostic and therapeutic process’ under the watch of Dr. Josep Brugada.
LATEST NEWS | Barça player Kun Agüero has been subjected to a diagnostic and therapeutic process by Dr. Josep Brugada. He is unavailable for selection and, during the next three months, the effectiveness of treatment will be evaluated in order to determine his recovery process. pic.twitter.com/My9xWpm6I4
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 1, 2021
‘Not true’
In turn, it came as a shock to not only those of a Barcelona persuasion, but also neutrals all around the world when, earlier this afternoon, word began to spread that Aguero was in fact primed to retire from the game of football.
As reported by Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, the South American’s heart problems are so extensive that they have forced him into the difficult decision to hang up his boots for good.
It was even suggested that Aguero was planning to hold a press conference next week, to make the news public.
BARCELONA, SPAIN – MAY 31: Sergio Aguero reacts as he is presented as a Barcelona player at the Camp Nou Stadium on May 31, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Such claims were subsequently backed by Samir Nasri a short time later, when the Frenchman, a former teammate of Aguero’s at Manchester City, revealed to Canal+ that ‘unfortunately he has confirmed that he is retiring’.
Samir Nasri (ex compañero de Agüero) cuenta en Canal+ que se han intercambiado mensajes con el Kun y “por desgracia le ha confirmado que se retira”.
— Helena Condis Edo (@HelenaCondis) November 20, 2021
In turn, on the back of his debut outing on the club’s bench on Saturday night, culminating in a 1-0 derby triumph over RCD Espanyol, it came as little surprise when the subject of Aguero’s future was put to newly-appointed Barca boss Xavi Hernandez.
The Spaniard, though, showcased little hesitation in shutting down the claims spreading across the media over the course of the day, assuring that he and his staff remain hopeful that the striker could yet mark his return to the pitch:
Xavi: “About Kun Aguero I don’t know anything new, I spoke with him the other day, he was relaxed. What came out is not true. We have to wait and see but we are still hoping that he can come back and play football.”
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) November 20, 2021
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