Iker Casillas speaks for the first time since 'big scare' of surgery after suffering heart attack at training

The Spanish goalkeeper tweeted a picture from his hospital bed at CUF in Porto

Iker Casillas has shared a picture from his hospital bed, assuring fans and wellwishers that he is fine after suffering a health scare on Wednesday.

The Spanish goalkeeper is one of the most successful footballers of the modern era. Born in Mostoles, the goalkeeper has played over 1,000 career games and has won every trophy there is to win, including leading Spain to their first-ever World Cup triumph at South Africa 2010. Casillas holds the Spanish record for most international appearances (167), has been nominated for the Ballon d'Or and won the Champions League three times, but was taken ill in training on Wednesday morning and urgently rushed to hospital.

Casillas, 37, suffered "an acute myocardial heart attack" according to a statement released by his club FC Porto.

The Spaniard is understood to have undergone a cardiac catheterisation, but in a tweet on Wednesday night he said: "All under control here, a big scare but everything is in tact.

"Many thanks to everyone for all the messages and the affection."

FC Porto had released a statement to clarify the situation earlier in the day.

"The training session was promptly interrupted to provide assistance to the FC Porto goalkeeper, who is currently at CUF Hospital Porto. Casillas is well, stable and his heart problem is resolved.”

A statement from former club Real Madrid read: "Iker Casillas has shown us throughout his professional career how to overcome incredible challenges to bring glory to our club.

"He has shown us that giving up is now part of our philosophy and has demonstrated to us innumerable times that being most strong when the challenge is most difficult is the way to achieve victory.

"Real Madrid and its fans wish to see their eternal captain recuperated as soon as possible and send him all the best wishes in the world."