FC Barcelona striker Sergio Aguero announced his retirement from professional soccer Wednesday at an emotional press conference at the Camp Nou Stadium.

The 33-year-old was accompanied by club president Joan Laporta, while Barca coach Xavi Hernandez and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola were also in the stands as he drew the curtain on his 18-year career due to a heart complaint.

“This conference is to communicate that I have decided to stop playing football,” said Aguero.

“It’s a very difficult moment, but decision that I have taken for my health, because of the problem that I had a month and a half ago.”

Aguero has not played since suffering an arrythmia in Barca’s game at home to Alaves on Oct. 30.

That saw him taken to hospital, while the club explained that he would be out of action for at least three months while the necessary tests were carried out to see whether he would be able to continue playing.

“I was in the good hands of the medical staff who have done their best and have told me that the best thing would be to stop playing. So, 10 days ago I made that decision. I want to tell everyone that I did everything possible to have some hope but there wasn’t very much,” explained the forward, who said he was leaving with his “head held high.”(Xinhua)