Anxious scenes unfolded during Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League meeting with Villarreal when Greek teenager Konstantinos Karetsas collapsed on the pitch and had to be stretchered off.
Dortmund said the forward experienced "circulatory problems" and was taken to a hospital for further checks. The club did not immediately provide additional details on his condition, but said it would issue updates as they became available.
Karetsas, regarded as one of Dortmund’s promising young talents, has featured for the club this season and his participation in Europe’s premier club competition underlined his rapid rise. Medical staff tended to him on the field before he was removed, prompting concern among team-mates and spectators.
The incident drew immediate attention from supporters and the wider football community, who were awaiting more information on his health. Dortmund and match officials have so far released only limited details, and the club is expected to give a fuller medical update in due course.