Manchester City have confirmed striker Sergio Aguero was involved in a car crash in the Netherlands on Thursday. Unverified claims on Friday morning said the 29-year-old fractured a rib after the taxi in which he was travelling in Amsterdam struck a pillar.
Dutch police said that two people were injured and taken to hospital, but would not confirm their names. However, City later confirmed that Aguero was one of the people involved. A club statement read: “Sergio Aguero will be assessed by club doctors today [Friday] after being involved in a road accident on Thursday.
“The City forward was in Holland on his day off and has sustained injuries. He will return to Manchester this morning and his status will be checked ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash at Chelsea.”
Aguero had earlier posted a picture of himself with Colombian singer Maluma on his Instagram account. He was understood to have been attending Maluma’s concert before the accident happened.
The City star’s former club, Independiente, tweeted a photo of Aguero with the words: “Strength and prompt recovery. Everyone at Independiente is with you in this difficult moment.”
Tim Vickery, a renowned English football journalist based in South America, said on Friday morning that news of Aguero’s accident was making headlines back in Argentina.
Vickery said that the accident happened as Aguero was making his way back to the airport, to catch a flight to Manchester.
The press in Argentina have already published photos of the taxi, following the accident, with news outlets in the South American country estimating that Aguero will be sidelined ‘for at least three months’.
With Argentina still yet to book their spot at next summer’s World Cup Finals in Russia, Aguero will miss their final two vital qualifiers against Peru and Ecuador on October 5 and 10 respectively.
In-form Aguero has made a strong start to the current season, netting seven goals in all competitions, including a hat-trick at Watford earlier this month.
News of the accident comes at a bad time for Pep Guardiola’s side as they prepare to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this Saturday, a match that pits the current Premier League leaders against the reigning champions.
City go into the match three points ahead of Antonio Conte’s side. Since moving to the Etihad Stadium six years ago, Aguero has been part of two Premier League title-winning teams, famously scoring the goal that clinched the title in the closing minutes of the 2011/12 season.
City were already planning for their forthcoming fixtures without defender Benjamin Mendy, who has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.