LONDON - Sergio Aguero is in "a very bad way" and will be out of action for six weeks, Argentina’s team doctor revealed on Tuesday.
The Manchester City striker fractured a rib when a taxi taking him to Amsterdam airport veered off the road and hit a lamp-post last Thursday night. Aguero had been to see Colombian singer Maluma in concert on his day off at the AFAS Live arena.
The 29-year-old was initially ruled out for between two and four weeks, but Argentina doctor Donato Villani believes it will be longer after assessing the player at his Cheshire home.
The news is a serious blow for City after Aguero opened the season with seven goals in eight games for the Premier League leaders, moving to within one goal of the club’s all-time scoring record.
Villani said that Aguero is in too much pain to move around the house or get into his car, and miserable because he cannot play for his country in their decisive World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Ecuador.
"Sergio is in a very bad way emotionally, as he was very eager to come over and play for the national side," Villani said. "He feels very bad as he wanted to be with us.
"He was not at all to blame for the accident, but it has put him out of our two qualifiers. He won’t be able to play for a month and a half. He can’t move around his house, or get in and out of a car. The truth is that I saw him looking very bad."
Six weeks on the sidelines would rule Aguero out of at least eight games for club and country, including home and away Champions League matches against Serie A leaders Napoli and a Premier League game against Arsenal.
I'm home in Manchester after an exam by club Drs. It's a broken rib. Hurts, but I'm fine, fully focused on recovery. Thank you all! pic.twitter.com/uamK7xwo99
— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) September 29, 2017
There was better news for City on Tuesday when Kevin De Bruyne was able to train with the Belgium national team despite concerns over the hamstring injury he picked up after scoring the winner at Chelsea on Saturday.