Football, while thrilling to watch, is an intensely demanding sport that can put immense strain on players’ bodies, including their hearts. Despite rigorous training, diet, and medical care, heart issues sometimes lead to early retirement for some of the game’s top players. Let’s take a look at 8 players who were forced to retire due to heart conditions:
Sergio Aguero (Cardiac Arrhythmia)
Sergio Aguero’s much-anticipated move to Barcelona in 2021 was unfortunately cut short. After just five games, Aguero experienced cardiac arrhythmia during a match against Deportivo Alaves in the 2021/22 season. On medical advice, Aguero made the heartbreaking decision to retire, just missing out on Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory.
Lilian Thuram (Enlarged Heart)
1998 World Cup winner Lilian Thuram was performing at the highest level even at age 36. In 2008, a medical exam revealed an enlarged heart, forcing him to call off a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain and ultimately retire. Tragically, Thuram’s brother had previously died from the same condition, making the diagnosis even more poignant.
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Iker Casillas (Heart Attack)
Legendary goalkeeper Iker Casillas showed no signs of slowing down, but in 2019, he suffered a heart attack during a training session with Porto. Although he recovered, Casillas decided to retire a year later, ending an illustrious career on a bittersweet note.
Miguel Ángel García Tebar (Cardiac Arrest)
After joining Salamanca from Las Palmas in 2010, Miguel Ángel García Tebar collapsed on the field due to cardiac arrest during a match against Real Betis. He was immediately treated by medical personnel who managed to stabilize him, but the incident marked the end of his playing career.
Fabrice Muamba (Cardiac Arrest)
In a shocking moment, Fabrice Muamba collapsed during Bolton Wanderers’ 2011 FA Cup quarterfinal against Tottenham Hotspur. Diagnosed with cardiac arrest, Muamba was resuscitated on the pitch. However, the severity of the event forced his retirement three months later.
Ruben de la Red (Heart Condition)
After returning to Real Madrid from Getafe, Ruben de la Red’s career came to an abrupt halt in 2008 when he collapsed during a Copa del Rey match due to a heart condition. Following a two-year struggle to return, he retired in 2010 at just 25 years old.
Abdelhak Nouri (Cardiac Arrhythmia)
Abdelhak Nouri’s bright career at Ajax ended tragically in 2017 when he collapsed during a pre-season game against Werder Bremen due to cardiac arrhythmia. Nouri suffered severe brain damage and, after three years in a coma, regained consciousness. His family later took legal action against Ajax for failing to provide adequate medical care during the incident.
Enock Mwepu (Hereditary Heart Condition)
Enock Mwepu was a rising star at Brighton when, in 2022, he was forced to retire at just 24 years old after being diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition. Mwepu, still passionate about football, transitioned to coaching and now leads Brighton’s Under-9 team.
These stories remind us that even in the world’s most beloved sport, health must always come first.