Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove collapsed on the pitch during his side’s Serie A match against Inter Milan on Sunday.
Bove’s teammates frantically called for medical help and surrounded the 22-year-old before medics treated him and then swiftly stretchered him off to a nearby ambulance to the side of the pitch.
The incident occurred during the 16th minute with the match temporarily suspended at 0-0 and later abandoned with plans to reschedule the contest later in the season.
Sky Sport Italia reported that Bove was taken to the Careggi hospital near the Stadio Artemio Franchi, home to Fiorentina.
The Italian broadcaster later added that Bove was breathing on his own and that his heart is beating on his own.
In the minutes that followed Bove’s collapse, his teammates and opponents were visibly shocked and emotional, with some seen in tears.
Roma defender Evan Ndicka collapsed with a hand on his chest back in April, while Piermario Morosini died after suffering cardiac arrest during a Serie B match 12 years ago.
Inter and Fiorentina are both near the top of the Serie A table behind leaders Napoli.
Bove has starred for the Viola since joining on loan last summer from Roma and scored his first goal for the club in October in a 5-1 victory over his parent club.
Fiorentina paid €1.5m to loan Bove in the summer and hold an option to make the move permanent for an additional €10.5m.
