Life so sweet since Aguero gave up sugar
SERGIO AGUERO has revealed that a visit to an Italian doctor and a healthier diet have solved the persistent injury problems that hampered his career at Manchester City.
Aguero is almost certain to finish as the Barclays Premier League’s top scorer after Sunday’s hat-trick against QPR took his season’s total to 25 — five clear of Tottenham’s Harry Kane — with two games to go.
Perhaps more significant is the fact that the Argentina striker has played in 31 of City’s 36 league games, surpassing his total in each of the past two seasons. The five matches he missed were due to a knee injury suffered against Everton in December.
Aguero had previously been troubled by a succession of softtissue problems in his thigh, hamstrings, groin and calves. But since changing his diet before the start of the season, cutting out meat, pasta and sugar, he has been able to train better and play more.
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is believed to have turned to Italian nutritionist Giuliano Poser for help after a series of muscle-related injuries on the advice of Martin Demichelis, Aguero’s City team-mate.
‘I needed a healthier way of life,’ said Aguero. ‘I went to a doctor in Italy and he checked everything. I had to change quite a bit — no more pasta, no more sugar and no meat, which I used to eat quite a bit because Argentinian meat is very good.
‘Touch wood, I haven’t had any muscle injuries this season, only the knee problem.
‘In training sessions I was struggling a bit last season. After every three sessions I had to stop. I also had to have a lot of treatment after training.
‘This has proved that it has worked and I can stay the same until the end of my career.’
Aguero has scored 31 times in all competitions this season — his treble in the 6-0 rout of QPR made it eight goals in the last five games. He also scored six in seven Champions League ties.
But the 26-year-old admitted that his personal achievement is tainted by City’s failure to win trophies.
‘What I really want is for City to win titles,’ he said. ‘That’s no longer a possibility so I hope I keep doing things right in these last games so we can reach the best position possible and that I can be the top scorer. I’d be hugely proud if I was.
‘Even if this wasn’t a favourable campaign, we took two Premier League titles in four years, which is hardly a failure.
‘This team aim for the sky, even if the results are not always with us. I think as long as we keep that mentality, the fans will have more to celebrate in the coming years.’