Barcelona and Argentina striker Sergio Aguero tearfully announced his retirement from football at a press conference on Wednesday, a month after being diagnosed with a heart related illness.

Accompanied by the club’s president Joan Laporta, the 33-year-old Barcelona star informed media during the press conference, “This conference is to communicate that I have decided to stop playing football. It is a very difficult moment. The decision I have made I have taken for my health, that is the main reason. I was in good hands of the medical staff who have done their best and have told me the best thing would be to stop playing.”

Aguero was admitted to a hospital in late October this year for a cardiac exam after suffering chest pain and dizziness during his side’s 1-1 draw against Alaves. He was then replaced during the break when he fell sick moments before halftime and was ruled out for three months following cardiac evaluation. Aguero, who joined Barcelona on a free transfer from Manchester City this summer, had made five appearances for the team.

PSG star Messi shared an emotional note following Aguero’s announcement. “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,” he wrote on Instagram.

Messi added, “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 begins and I am convinced that you are going to live it with a smile and with all the illusion that you put into everything.”

"It's a very difficult moment ... it's for my health."

— @aguerosergiokun pic.twitter.com/DYBjqqSQf2

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 15, 2021