Legendary Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas rushed to hospital after heart attack

The 37-year-old former Real Madrid player is said to be in a "stable" condition now, but remains under observation

UPDATED APR 1, 2020

Iker Casillas of FC Porto (Source : Getty Images)

The legendary FC Porto goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, was rushed to hospital on Wednesday after he suffered a heart attack at their training ground, according to the club. The 37-year-old was taken to the CUF Porto Hospital and was operated upon later in the afternoon. He is said to be in a "stable" condition now, however, the sportsman continues to remain under observation, according to reports.

Casillas has won three Champions League titles, and five La Liga at Real Madrid. The star goalkeeper previously has also been a part of the national squad that won two successive European Championships, in 2008 and 2012, and the World Cup in 2010.

Iker Casillas of FC Porto celebrates winning the title after the Primeira Liga match between FC Porto and Feirense at Estadio do Dragao on May 6, 2018 in Porto, Portugal. (Getty Images)

Porto released a statement on his condition, saying: "Casillas suffered an acute myocardial infarction during Wednesday morning training session held at the PortoGaia training centre in Olival. The work session was promptly interrupted to provide assistance to the Porto goalkeeper, who is currently at the Hospital CUF Porto. Casillas is well, stable and his heart problem [is] solved," according to the BBC.

The 37-year-old's former club Real Madrid also published a statement, stating that they are sending their former keeper "all the courage of the world," according to reports.

"Real Madrid wants to transmit all their support to their beloved captain Casillas," the statement read. "Casillas has taught us throughout his professional career to overcome the most incredible challenges to enhance the glory of our club."

Spain legend Iker Casillas and model Natalia Vodianova show the World Cup trophy prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at Luzhniki Stadium on June 14, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Getty Images)

"It has taught us that giving up does not fit into our philosophy of life and has shown us countless times that being stronger the harder the challenge is, the way to achieve victory," the statement added. "Real Madrid want to see their eternal captain recovered as soon as possible and send him all the courage of the world."

Casillas is considered one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time and led Spain to their first ever World Cup win in 2010 in South Africa.

The Santiago Bernabéu club also showed support to their former captain, saying in a statement that Casillas “taught us throughout his professional career to overcome the most incredible challenges. Real Madrid want to see their eternal captain recovered as soon as possible."