The news that Sergio Agüero has been forced to retire from the game of football at the age of just 33 marks a sad end to what has been a glittering career.
The decision has reluctantly been taken on health grounds. Doctors have advised him that his heart problems after being taken to hospital after suffering chest pains during a match six weeks ago have proved to be serious enough for him to be no longer safe for him to continue playing.
Ironically, what had seemed a dream move for him in the summer has since turned into a nightmare.
When he left Manchester City on a free transfer, Barcelona was the dream destination for him because of his close friendship with Lionel Messi, to the extent that Messi is the godfather of Agüero’s son, Benjamin.
What Agüero failed to realise was the extent of the financial problems Barcelona were in, something that only became apparent when they were initially unable to register him. Messi then departed for Paris Saint-Germain, when Barcelona decided they could not afford the new contract he had been offered.
A calf injury then delayed him making his debut. He only made five appearances in all, and scored one goal before suffering the health problems that have ultimately brought everything to a premature end.
It means that Barcelona fans will never get to see for themselves the skills and ability that made him one of the best strikers that the Premier League has ever seen, finishing his time with City as the highest-scoring overseas player ever.
In all, he managed 18 hat-tricks, including 12 in a City shirt, a record for a Premier League player.
Like Messi, he did finally get his hands on some silverware at international level this summer, picking up a medal as part of the Argentina squad that won the Copa América, although he did not actually play in the final.
This is not how Agüero wanted to bow out of football but, ultimately, the decision has been taken out of his hands.