Aguero: I am lucky to be alive
SERGIO AGUERO believes wearing a seatbelt saved his life after he was involved in a car crash in Amsterdam. The Manchester City striker suffered a broken rib and needed hospital treatment after a taxi taking him to the airport smashed into a lamp-post in the Dutch capital on September 28. Aguero said: ‘I realise it’s thanks to wearing a seatbelt that I’m able to talk about this at all.’ Aguero has made a rapid recovery and could be in contention for City’s home game tomorrow against Stoke. ‘I still do not know if I am going to play on Saturday,’ he added.
SERGIO AGUERO believes wearing a seatbelt saved his life and enabled him to return to training less than two weeks after a car crash in Amsterdam.
The Manchester City striker suffered a broken rib and needed hospital treatment after a taxi taking him to the airport smashed into a lamp-post in the Dutch capital on September 28.
But Aguero is in contention for a surprise return to the squad when the Premier League leaders meet Stoke City at the Etihad tomorrow.
The Argentina international took part in a full training session with team-mates yesterday after two days of light workouts, although Pep Guardiola will wait to make a final decision on his fitness.
On his remarkable recovery, Aguero said: ‘I asked the doctor if I could play for City on the Saturday (against Chelsea). He said, “I don’t believe so”.
‘I took a moment to think and realised it’s thanks to wearing a seatbelt that I’m able to talk about this at all.
‘I still do not know if I am going to play on Saturday. I have trained normally, but without the group. Now I will get into the group to see how I feel.’
Guardiola will not want to take risks with his top scorer, who was ruled out for a minimum of six weeks by Argentina team doctor Donato Villaini.
Aguero has fired six goals in six Premier League games this season and needs just one more to equal Eric Brook’s club record of 177.
The 29-year- old was travelling back from a pop concert in Amsterdam less than 48 hours before the top-of-the-table encounter at Stamford Bridge.
Guardiola faced questions about allowing players to leave the country so close to games, but Aguero defended his decision to travel to Holland, saying: ‘ When a player has a free day at Manchester City, most of the players go to London, others to Italy, some to Spain.’
Aguero missed Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Ecuador. He was watching on television as Lionel Messi fired a hat-trick in Quito on Tuesday night to send his country to the finals in Russia.
City have been continually linked with a move for Messi, who has yet to sign a new contract at Barcelona.
But Aguero said: ‘The money isn’t a problem here at City, but I think Messi —like (Cristiano) Ronaldo — is a player who is a symbol of their club and it’s difficult for them to leave.
‘I would love to have Leo on my team, but that seems quite complicated.
‘I sent a message to Messi. I congratulated him and thanked him for all he’s been doing for the national team.’