Napoli and Poland international midfielder Piotr Zielinski asked to come off during Sunday’s game with Empoli, suffering from respiratory problems. The incident occurred just over 16 minutes into the Serie A match at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Zielinski was seen running to the touchline and telling the medical staff he was having trouble breathing properly. He was holding on to his neck, coughing and gesturing that he was struggling to get air in. Zielinski contracted COVID-19 in October 2020.

This one in a spate of incidents involving athletes heart or chest problems recently. Over the weekend, Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof suffered a worrying heart scare as he was helped off in Manchester United’s win over Norwich.

The defender dropped down in discomfort and had his hand on his chest when United medics rushed onto the pitch during the second half of United’s 1-0 victory at Carrow Road.

Barcelona’s Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero is understood to be preparing his farewell to football at the age of 33 after his cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis. The Argentine left the field during his club’s 1-1 La Liga draw with Alaves on October 31, complaining of chest pains. And now it looks as if that will be his final match of a glittering career.