In one of the most frightening moments of his playing career, former Manchester City striker Sergio Agüero survived a serious car accident in the Netherlands in September 2017, later revealing that wearing a seat belt likely saved his life.
The crash occurred while Agüero was traveling in a taxi in Amsterdam after attending a concert by Colombian singer Maluma during a day off from Manchester City. As the taxi made its way toward the airport, it lost control and collided with a roadside pillar, leaving the Argentine international with painful injuries that temporarily halted his remarkable season. Sports+1
Taxi Crashed Into a Pillar in Amsterdam
The accident happened on the night of September 28, 2017, when the taxi carrying Agüero struck a concrete pillar in Amsterdam. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene and transported both the driver and the football star to a local hospital.
Medical examinations confirmed that Agüero had suffered a fractured rib, though he fortunately escaped far more serious injuries. Manchester City later confirmed that the striker had been involved in a road accident while visiting the Netherlands and would return to England for further medical assessment.
“The Seat Belt Saved My Life”
A few weeks after the crash, Agüero reflected on the incident and acknowledged how fortunate he had been.
Speaking to Argentine media, he explained that after learning he had fractured a rib, he realized the outcome could have been much worse.
He said that wearing his seat belt allowed him to survive the impact, adding that he was grateful to be alive and able to continue his career. His comments quickly became a powerful reminder about the importance of seat belt safety.
Injury Forced Him Out for Weeks
Immediately after the accident, reports suggested Agüero could miss six to eight weeks, with some early estimates placing his recovery at around two months due to the fractured rib. The injury ruled him out of several Manchester City matches and prevented him from joining Argentina for crucial 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures.
At the time of the crash, Agüero had been in outstanding form, scoring seven goals in his first eight appearances of the 2017-18 season. Despite the setback, he recovered successfully and returned later that campaign, helping Manchester City continue one of the most successful seasons in club history.
A Career That Continued After the Crash
Although the accident briefly interrupted his season, Agüero went on to cement his legacy as one of the greatest players in Manchester City’s history. He eventually became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer before departing in 2021.
His career later came to an emotional end after heart problems forced his retirement while playing for FC Barcelona in December 2021.
Today, the 2017 Amsterdam crash remains one of the most memorable off-field incidents of Agüero’s career—not only because of the injuries he sustained, but because of his own acknowledgment that a simple safety measure, fastening his seat belt, likely prevented a far more tragic outcome.
