Casillas may never play professional football again

The footballing world was rocked by the news of Iker Casillas’ health scare this week.

During a Porto training session, the legendary goalkeeper suffered an ‘acute myocardial infarction’ – more commonly known as a heart attack – and was urgently rushed to hospital.

Portuguese reports were quick to clarify that Casillas was in a stable condition, a fact that was later confirmed by the man himself, who tweeted a photograph of him smiling from a hospital bed.

Porto explained on Wednesday: “Iker Casillas suffered an acute myocardial infarction during morning practice this Wednesday, at the PortoGaia Sports Formation and Training Centre, in Olival.

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“The work session was promptly interrupted so that assistance could be given to the FC Porto goalkeeper, who is at this moment at the CUP Porto Hospital.

“Casillas is fine, stable and with his cardiac problem resolved.”

Casillas received a outpouring of support from big sporting names such as Rafael Nadal, Sergio Ramos, Lionel Messi, Thibaut Courtois and many others.

The Spaniard is perhaps best known for his time with Real Madrid and his former club were one of the first to react, writing in an official statement: “[we] send him all the courage of the world.”

Reports were quick to explain that Casillas would sit out the remainder of the season, perhaps unsurprising with Porto just three games away from completing their league campaign.

However, it has now sadly been suggested that Casillas might never play football again, with a number of leading cardiologists giving their opinion in the Spanish media.

Juan Antonio Corbalan explained: “You cannot play football with a coronary stent, especially goalkeeper. Iker will return to living a normal life, but he can no longer be a professional athlete.”

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CSD cardiologist Manuel Marina was also pessimistic, remarking: “The first 24 hours will be key.

“When he is discharged from hospital he will have to live life at a more relaxed pace and take things easy, he’ll also be on medication and then see how things develop from there.”

Over at AS, Jose Gonzalez gave a more cautious diagnosis: “We will have to wait to wait to see how his body heals and then study the results of the medical tests he will be put through.

“His heart could return to function as normal and he might have the chance to return to his profession.”

Meanwhile, according to Marca, it’s reported that Porto sources are explained that he: “may not return to action and that his playing days are finished.”