The Barcelona striker Sergio Agüero will be unavailable for at least the next three months after undergoing “a diagnostic and therapeutic process” for a cardiological issue.
The 33-year-old former Manchester City forward was taken to hospital on Saturday after leaving the field early in Barca’s 1-1 draw at home to Alaves.
The Argentinian was making his first start at the Nou Camp since his summer transfer but his evening lasted just 41 minutes after he reported chest discomfort and appeared to be suffering breathing problems, although he managed to walk from the field as he was replaced by Philippe Coutinho.
A Barcelona statement read: “Sergio Agüero has been subjected to a diagnostic and therapeutic process. He is unavailable for selection and during the next three months the effectiveness of treatment will be evaluated in order to determine his recovery process.
“The Argentine was taken to hospital for cardiological evaluation on Saturday following the Barca v Alaves game in which the Barca striker felt unwell.”
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Speaking before Barcelona’s Champions League match against Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine tomorrow, the caretaker coach Sergi Barjuán said that Agüero remains “calm”. “I talked to him and he’s calm,” Barjuán said. “He’s confined to his room but considering the situation he’s calm.”
However, sources close to the striker suggest that he has been very affected by this latest problem, having had to recover from quite a serious calf injury during the pre-season. He is said to regard it as one of the toughest moments of his career.
City, for whom Agüero scored a record-breaking 260 goals, sent a message of support and wished him well, as did former team-mate Raheem Sterling. “Stay strong my brother @aguerosergiokun, we’re all with you. Get well soon,” Sterling tweeted.
