Former Southampton, Roma, Juventus and Italy striker Dani Osvaldo has been admitted to hospital and is currently in intensive care after an emergency operation in Argentina according to reports on Saturday morning.

Osvaldo, 40, suffered from a pleural effusion, which required emergency surgery at a public hospital in Llavallol, Buenos Aires according to Argentine outlet TyC Sports .

According to Italian newspaper Tuttosport , Osvaldo had been struggling with chest pains in the days leading up to his hospitalisation. His sister and friend reportedly raised the alarm after seeing his condition worsen over the last week.

The operation reportedly required a portion of lung tissue to be removed, and the 14-time Azzurri striker was admitted to intensive care after the procedure was carried out, where he remains under close observation.

Osvaldo, who was born in Argentina but represented Italy at youth and senior international level, appeared to have retired after his spell with Boca Juniors came to an end in 2016, but then returned to professional football for a brief stint with Banfield four years later in 2020.