Yaya Toure and Lionel Messi were among many to have posted a tribute to Sergio Aguero following the forward’s retirement from professional football on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old formally announced the decision, forced upon him after suffering chest pains during Barcelona’s draw with Alaves in October, during a press conference at Camp Nou.
Toure, who played alongside the Argentine 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!”
Messi, meanwhile, posted a photo on Instagram with the caption: “Practically a whole career together, Kun … We lived very beautiful moments and others that were not so, all of them made us unite more and more and be more friends. And we are going to continue living them together outside the field.
“With the great joy of lifting the America’s Cup so little ago, with all the achievements you achieved in England… And the truth is that now it hurts a lot to see how you have to stop doing what you like the most because of what happened to you.
“Surely you will continue to be happy because you are a person who transmits happiness and those of us who love you will be with you. Now a new stage of your life is starting and I am convinced that you are going to live it with a smile and with all the illusion that you put into everything. All the best in this new stage !!! I love you very much friend, I am going to miss a lot being with you on the field and when we get together with the National Team !!”
Another player who Aguero shared a dressing room with at the Etihad Stadium, goalkeeper Joe Hart, said: ‘It is sad news. I think it goes without saying that the entire footballing world appreciates you for the player you are, everything you achieved in the game and all the smiles you put on people’s faces.
Current City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne wrote: ‘One of the best strikers ever! Want to wish you all the best for the future legend. See you soon.’
Riyad Mahrez added: ‘One of the best to do it. Thank you for everything, take care bro.’
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: ‘The facts speak for themselves – Sergio is quite simply the most ruthless striker in the history of the Premier League.
The Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, speaking ahead of his team’s match against Newcastle United on Thursday said: ‘First and foremost, I really feel for the boy. I’m sure he is still in shock.
Barcelona’s arch-rivals Real Madrid tweeted: ‘It was an honour to compete against a player like you, @aguerosergiokun, one of the best players in the world. Best of luck to you and your family.’
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