Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he had “no problem” with Sergio Aguero being in Amsterdam as he confirmed the striker suffered a broken rib in a car accident on Thursday.
The Argentine was in a taxi on his way to the airport after watching singer Maluma when the accident happened.
Guardiola added: “He had a day off. He’s OK – the most important thing.”
Aguero, 29, tweeted: “It was a very heavy slam but seatbelts prevented it from being worse.”
The Spanish manager said he did not know for how long Aguero would be sidelined, but it is understood an absence of two to four weeks is likely.
It is possible that Aguero could be fit to face Stoke at the Etihad Stadium on 14 October, after the international break.
Guardiola said: “I only knew this morning when I woke up. I don’t want to know what my players do.
“If they are fathers, they have a full responsibility on their shoulders on and off the pitch. They know what they have to do. He’s strong enough. He travelled in a private jet, so no problem.
“I don’t know what the supporters think. Some of them can be upset, some not, but at the end it’s fortunate the injury is not bad.
“He’s healthy, he’s alive. The most important thing is he’s OK. Why should he apologise to me? No.”
Aguero told Argentine radio station Metro: “I’ve broken a rib. Now I’m resting but it’s really painful.”
He later wrote on Twitter: “Thank you with all my heart for the supportive messages, they really do help me in recovering.
“The taxi I was riding made a wrong turn and crashed against a pole.”
Aguero’s former club Independiente sent the player their best wishes on Twitter, saying: “Strength and speedy recovery @aguerosergiokun! All @Independiente is with you at this difficult time.”
The striker has scored seven goals in eight matches for City this season, helping Pep Guardiola’s side reach the top of the Premier League and win their first two Champions League group matches.
The international break follows City’s match against Chelsea. Aguero was named in Argentina’s squad for their final two World Cup qualifiers against Peru (5 October) and Ecuador (10 October).
Argentina are fifth in the South American section standings, which only guarantees a play-off place.
‘It was a ridiculous thing to do’ – Jol
Former Tottenham and Fulham manager Martin Jol said it was “ridiculous” of Aguero to travel to Amsterdam on a Thursday before a Saturday Premier League game.
Jol told Radio 5 live’s Friday Football Social: “You have to support your player to the outside world and then you have to tell him what you think privately. They have to focus on the games. I had a similar situation with Luis Suarez when he bit someone (at Ajax in 2010). I had to support him but it was a ridiculous thing to do.
“This was ridiculous to do, to go to Amsterdam on a Thursday. At Spurs you couldn’t go out after a Wednesday. For anyone in football it’s a bad example. It won’t happen again – if you allow this then players will be at concerts all over the world. It’s £8,000 or £9,000 for a private plane to get to Amsterdam and they have all the money in the world.”
Also speaking on the show, former England international Jermaine Jenas added: “It’s a mistake from him. As a player you do these things from time to time, normally when you are younger. Amsterdam is not the issue – you could argue that it takes longer to get to London than a private jet to Amsterdam. Pep will talk to him and let him know that it can’t happen again.
“It’s difficult for a manager. It can set a precedent. Sometimes a strong word is enough, he won’t have to fine him.”
Source: BBC
