Harrowing moment footballer suffers a seizure on the pitch during match in Argentina before being rushed to hospital... with team-mates in tears and his pregnant wife in the stands

A Chilean footballer collapsed on the pitch after suffering a seizure during a match in Argentina on Sunday.

Estudiantes midfielder Javier Altamirano, 24, experienced convulsions in the 28th minute of their clash with Boca Juniors in La Plata.

Harrowing video footage shows the player's legs visibly shaking as he is treated. Team-mates, some of whom were in tears, were seen rushing to his aid before he was treated by doctors from both sides and taken to hospital in an ambulance.

The Argentine League Cup game was then abandoned with the score 0-0 after the referee spoke to Estudiantes captain Jose Sosa and Boca Juniors counterpart Edinson Cavani.

Altamirano's pregnant wife was in the stands and went with him to hospital, according to Estudiantes manager Eduardo Dominguez.

Javier Altamirano collapsed after suffering a seizure during Estudiantes' game with Boca Juniors

The 24-year-old was treated on the pitch by team doctors from both sides following the incident

The Chilean was rushed to hospital in an ambulance and is said to be in a stable condition

'There are many things more important than a game,' he said. 'Life comes before any situation.

'It was very difficult to continue, I entered the locker room and the players were crying… Altamirano's wife, pregnant, was in the stalls, now she is with him.' 

Some Estudiantes players were in tears in the dressing room, Dominguez added.

Estudiantes said in a statement on Sunday night that Altamirano is in a stable condition at the Platense Medical Institute.

Altamirano is an attacking midfielder who has made one appearance for his country

Players were visibly upset as the referee and officials called for medical assistance

'He is in hospital under observation and to complete studies,' the club said. 

'A CT scan was performed, which showed no obvious pathological images.

'He is stable. Due to this situation, the match, stopped 27 minutes into the first half, was suspended by the referee authorities.'

The worrying incident was shown on Argentinian TV before some broadcasters cut away from the field once they realised the seriousness of the situation.

Altamirano has made 11 appearances for his club this season having joined Estudiantes from Chilean club Huachipato for £785,000 in the summer.