Lionel Messi And Other Football Stars Sends Emotional Message To Aguero Following His Retirement.

Lionel Messi has paid an emotional tribute to Sergio Aguero after the Barcelona striker was forced to announce his retirement from football on Wednesday.

Aguero made the move to Barcelona from Man City in the hope of playing alongside his best friend and compatriot Lionel Messi, but contractual problems led to the Barca's all-time top goalsscorer departing the club for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

The seven-time Balon d'Or winner Messi highlighted in his message on Instagram the way in which they have become close friends during the years and enjoyed some good moments on the pitch, like winning Argentina's first major international trophy since 1993 (the Copa América in July).

“Practically a whole career together, Kun.... We’ve had some great moments and others that weren’t so great, but all of them have made us grow closer and become better friends. And we’re going to continue spending them together off the pitch,” he wrote.

“With the great joy of lifting the Copa America just a little while ago, with all the achievements you obtained in England.... And the truth is that now it hurts a lot to see how you have to stop doing what you love the most because of what happened to you. I’m sure you will continue to be happy because you are a person who radiates happiness and those of us who love you will be there for you. Now a new stage of your life is beginning and I am convinced that you will enjoy it with a smile on your face and with all the enthusiasm that you put into everything.

“All the best in this new stage! I love you very much my friend, I’m going to miss a lot being with you on the pitch and when we meet up with the national team.”

Elsewhere, Manchester City a club which Aguero ha played for a decade since his move from Atletico Madrid in 2011 also sent a farewell message to their all time record goalsscorer.

He scored a total 260 goals, creating 73 assists in his 390 appearances for the Etihad side.

“Everyone at Manchester City would like to take this opportunity to thank @aguerosergiokun for his incredible contribution to our success over the last decade and wish him well in his retirement”... The club posted on Twitter.

Thank you, @ManCity! To the club, the staff, my colleagues, and former colleagues, and to the fans that supported me so much during these difficult times. I hope I can embrace all of you soon, 💙 https://t.co/TitvRDdxbr

— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) December 15, 2021

Football reporters, followers and lovers, across all various social media platforms never failed to expressed their love to the football legend. 

Yaya Toure, who played alongside the Argentine at City between 2011 and 2018, tweeted: 

“Sergio, my friend. I am sad to see you retire today but I am also excited for your future. You have so much to offer the game. We shared many great times and I feel blessed to have been your teammate. You will go down as one of the greatest. Playing alongside you was an honour!”

Other Man City players past and present such as Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Leroy Sane, Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez Raheem Sterling, and David Silva all expressed similar sentiments, while rival club Real Madrid were also among those congratulating the forward on his hugely successful career.

Aguero was only able to play five matches for Barcelona, scoring only once and doing so in the El Clasico against Real Madrid in October before suffering a cardiac arrhythmia, he was substituted in the first-half of the game against Alaves.

The 33-year-old formally announced the decision to retire during a press conference which was attended by Barcelona's president Joan Laporta, manager Xavi Hernandez, Man City manager Pep Guardiola who made it a point to travel to Spain and be there for Aguero on an emotional day at Camp Nou.