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Veteran goalkeeper Iker Casillas was stable in hospital after suffering a heart attack in training, AFP reports, citing his club Porto.

The 37-year-old, who has 167 Spain caps and played more than 500 games for Real Madrid, suffered what the Portuguese club called an "acute myocardial infarction" in training on Wednesday.

The club's statement on Wednesday afternoon said that "the training session was interrupted to provide assistance," adding that Casillas was in a Porto hospital "well, stable and his heart problem solved."

Portuguese media reported that Casillas had undergone surgery and that his season was over.

Porto are second in the Portuguese championship, just two points behind leaders Benfica, and face Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese Cup final on May 25.

The news prompted an outpouring of concern from fans, clubs former team-mates and opponents.

"Courage my friend. I hope you recover quickly," former Real team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo posted on Instagram.

Spain team-mate Gerard Pique tweeted: "Courage Iker, get well soon my friend!"

"Real Madrid and its supporters wish to see their eternal captain recover as soon as possible and send him all the support of the world," the club said.

Casillas joined Real before he turned 10 and played 16 seasons with the first team before moving to Porto in 2015.

The former Spain captain turns 38 later in May and recently extended his contract with Porto to next year with the option of an additional year.

In addition to a raft of domestic honours with Real and Porto, Casillas has won one World Cup, two European Championships and three Champions Leagues.

He said Porto had told him of they wanted to keep him until he turned 40.