FORMER Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas was discharged from hospital in his home city of Oporto today (Monday) less than a week after having stents fitted following a heart attack during training.
The 37-year-old collapsed mid-session, and Oporto FC stopped immediately and arranged for his urgent transfer to the CUF Hospital.
His wife, TV reporter Sara Carbonero, was working in Tarifa (Cádiz province) at the time, and rushed across the border to be with her partner as he came round from his operation.
Doctors reported within less than 24 hours of his May Day admission that Iker was doing well and out of danger, but said that if his collapse had happened at home whilst he was alone, the story could have had a very different outcome.
They said the acute myocardial infarction – where blood supply to the heart is stopped due to arterial blockage or closure – was completely unforeseen.
“I've been very lucky,” Casillas, leaving hospital hand-in-hand with Sara, admitted.
“But I don't know what my future holds for me.”
He said he was very moved and grateful for the outpouring of support in his direction, including hundreds of tweets with the hashtag #FuerzaIker, from fans and sporting professionals around the globe.
Iker also thanked those who got him to hospital quickly enough that he was able to 'live to tell the tale'.
“This is something that could have happened at any time in my life...but here we are,” he told reporters at the hospital exit.
Whether or not he will be forced to retire from professional play was 'uncertain', Iker explained, although it has already been rumoured he will be out of the game for at least the next three months, meaning he would miss the rest of the season.
“The important thing is that I'm still here,” he said.
“I'll have to rest for at least two weeks...or maybe two months.”
Speculation is now rife as to whether his condition has put paid to his career altogether, but at the moment, Iker says he is grateful merely to be alive and, on the verge of tears, thanked the medical staff who cared for him and all those who had shown their 'affection and support'.
Photograph: Iker Casillas on Twitter (@ikercasillas)
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