Casillas and other footballers who have suffered heart scares
Antonio Cassano
The Italian player fainted at an airport and was diagnosed with cerebral ischemia caused by a a heart condition. After undergoing successful surgery, he continued his football career without any issues.
Foto:MARCO BERTORELLOAFP
Dani Carvajal
The Real Madrid player suffered acute pericarditis that kept him sidelined for a time.
Foto:PEPE ANDRESDIARIO AS
Fabrice Muamba
The former Congolese Bolton footballer suffered cardiac arrest during an FA Cup match against Tottenham Hotspur, where a defibrillator was used to save his life. In August 2012, he announced his withdrawal from football following medical advice.
Foto:Scott HeaveyGetty Images
Rubén de la Red
The former Real Madrid player fainted on the pitch, at the age of 23, during a Copa del Rey match against Real Unión de Irún, prompting medics to use a defibrillator. He was diagnosed with a virus that affected the myocardium that affectively ended his ca
Foto:FELIPE SEVILLANODIARIO AS
Lilian Thuram
The former France and Barcelona player was diagnosed with a cardiac malformation just before signing for PSG, which led him to early retirement following medical advice.
Foto:Ben RadfordGetty Images
Nwankwo Kanu
The former Aresnal and Nigeria player was diagnosed with a heart defect and had to undergo a life-saving operation in which his aortic artery was replaced. Kanu returned to action following a six-month recovery.
Foto:Ben RadfordGetty Images
Aitor Karanka
The former Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao player suffered a benign idiopathic acute myopericarditis in 1998 and after a period of rest returned to pitch.
Foto:FELIPE SEVILLANODIARIO AS
Miguel de las Cuevas
The former Atlético, Sporting and Osasuna player (now currently in Córdoba) underwent surgery for a permanent foramen ovale.
Foto:J.OBRERODIARIO AS
Miguel García
One of the most extreme cases was that of Salamanca player, Miguel García, who had a heart attack in a game against Betis in 2010.
Foto:JOSEMA MORENODIARIO AS
Lucas Silva
The Real Madrid player, currently on loan at Brazilian club Cruzeiro, was diagnosed with a small coronary anomaly that was not deemed to have gotten any worse after a medical examination while at Sporting Lisbon.
Foto:Robert Cianflone
Ángel Correa
The Atlético Madrid striker underwent a heart operation in 2014 to remove a cyst in his left ventricle.
Foto:PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOUAFP
Sami Khedira
The Juventus player, currently on loan at Chelsea, underwent a minor procedure this year to correct an irregular arterial fibrillation.
Foto:MIGUEL MEDINAAFP
FC Porto Training
Porto and former Real Madrid keeper Iker Casilllas was admitted to hospital after suffering chest pains during training on Tuesday, 1 May. Later that day Casillas posted on social media to say everything was under control.
Foto:ERIC GAILLARDREUTERS