The Serie A match between Fiorentina and Inter Milan was halted abruptly when Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove, 22, collapsed on the field with no apparent contact from other players.
Witnesses reported that players from both teams, visibly distraught, rushed to his side as medical personnel attended to him.
The game was scoreless at the time of the incident, which occurred just over 16 minutes into the match.
Bove, on loan from Roma, has been a key player for Fiorentina since joining the team during the summer transfer window and scored his first goal for the Viola in October.
Fans took to social media to express their concern and well-wishes for the young player. "I hope they can help him. Awful, awful news to read today. Still holding hope the doctors can heal him," one fan wrote.
"Thoughts with Bove, his family and @acffiorentina," another fan posted. "We should suspend this match. The players were shaken. They are people too."
