Sergio Aguero “had nothing more to achieve” before his unfortunate early retirement, according to fellow Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain.
Aguero was forced to call time on his illustrious career last December due to a heart problem following chest pains in a draw with Deportivo Alaves on October 30.
The former Manchester City star was informed it would be too much of a risk to continue playing, having made just five appearances in all competitions for new club Barcelona, who he joined in July.
While Higuain understands the circumstances behind his retirement were far from ideal, the Inter Miami man believes Aguero will reflect on his achievements fondly.
“Clearly no player wants to retire like this, but also Kun [Aguero] made an extraordinary career,” Higuain, who played with Aguero during their time with Argentina, told Stats Perform.
“He is the top foreign goalscorer in the Premier League. Nobody wants to retire like that, but if he looks back he had nothing more to achieve.
“Perhaps he lacked a Champions League, but that does not change the quality of player that he is and how he will be remembered.
“I wish him to be happy and find something he is passionate about. Health comes first. We shared many years together and from the heart I wish him the best.”
Indeed, Aguero leaves behind a remarkable legacy. The 33-year-old scored 184 times in the Premier League at a rate of one every 108 minutes, the best frequency of any player to net at least 20 in the competition’s history.
Even when you extend it to all competitions throughout City’s history, nobody gets within 80 goals of Aguero, with his 260 well clear of Eric Brook (177).
He also boasts the most Premier League goals for a single club in history, with his final strike – a header against Everton in May – taking him past Wayne Rooney’s haul of 183 for one club (Manchester United).
Aside from personal accolades, Aguero lifted the English top-flight title on five occasions, tasted success at Copa America in 2021 and raised the EFL Cup an astounding six times.