PEP GUARDIOLA told Sergio Aguero he must not try to rush back to football after his health scare at the weekend.
Manchester City’s all time leading scorer suffered breathing problems while playing for new club Barcelona at the Nou Camp.
The 33-year-old was taken to hospital for heart tests and will not play again for the next three months while further examinations are carried out.
His former club have rallied around the Argentine – with Guardiola sending him a clear message that his health and the rest of his life is much more important than what is left of his career.
The Etihad boss said: “Of course, it is difficult news for everyone. But especially for him and his family.
“We wish him well, he knows it, from all the people at Manchester City.
“We wish him a speedy recovery, but it does not matter about the time. Health and life is much more important than anything else and he knows it.
“I’m pretty sure he is in very good hands, really good doctors will take care of him and he will take care of himself.
“And come back if he can – otherwise enjoy his life and enjoy what he has done. It depends, I am not a doctor.
“I don’t know precisely what he has, but be careful and be safe for the rest of his life.”
Full-back Kyle Walker spent four years as a team-mate of Aguero at City and was shocked by the news.
The former Tottenham defender also played alongside Christian Eriksen – who suffered a cardiac arrest playing for Denmark at the Euros.
And he was on the pitch when Bolton’s Fabrice Muamba almost died from a similar problem in an FA Cup tie at White Hart Lane in 2012.
Walker said: “I think it is a shock when it happens to anyone. I played with Christian and it happened at the Euros to him and you think about him and the family.
“I am glad Sergio is okay, that is the most important thing. It is a surprise, we are fit athletes and we train every day.
“His health is more important that football at the moment.
“We are all human in more ways than one, we make mistakes as every human does and we put in good performances but health is key and without health you are nothing.
“I spoke to Christian a couple of weeks ago on text message and just said ‘I hope you are okay mate’.
“I played in the game at Tottenham when Fabrice Muamba went down so I have seen it happen to a few people I have shared a dressing room with.
“I hope Sergio is OK. Take your time, as long as it takes.”
