Sergio Aguero: what happened to Barcelona striker and why was he taken to hospital?

Barcelona striker treated on pitch for several minutes before being withdrawn and taken to hospital during 1-1 draw with Alaves

Barcelona's Sergio Aguero leaves the pitch just before half time. Reuters

Barcelona's Sergio Aguero after receiving medical treatment. Reuters

Barcelona's Sergio Aguero goes down after signalling to the bench. Reuters

Barcelona's Sergio Aguero, top right, heads the ball. AP Photo

Barcelona's Sergio Aguero shoots at goal. Reuters

Barcelona striker Sergio Aguero vies for the ball with Alaves defender Victor Laguardia. EPA

Barcelona striker Sergio Aguero leaves the pitch. EPA

Alaves' French defender Florian Lejeune challenges Barcelona's Dutch forward Memphis Depay. AFP

Barcelona's Dutch forward Memphis Depay heads the ball. AFP

Alaves' Spanish goalkeeper Antonio Sivera dives to stop Barcelona's Dutch forward Memphis Depay's shot. AFP

Barcelona' forward Memphis Depay celebrates scoring the opening goal. AFP

Alaves defender Florian Lejeune challenges Barcelona's Memphis Depay. AFP

Barcelona's Memphis Depay vies with Alaves' Ximo Navarro. AFP

Barcelona's Spanish coach Sergi Barjuan stands on the sideline. AFP

Barcelona caretaker coach. Reuters

Barcelona's Nicolas Gonzalez reacts after conceding their first goal scored by Alaves' Luis Rioja. Reuters

Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen reacts after conceding their first goal. Reuters

Barcelona defender Oscar Mingueza vies for the ball with Alaves' Luis Rioja. EPA

Barcelona striker Sergio Aguero was taken to hospital after suffering "chest discomfort" and complaining about feeling dizzy during his side's 1-1 La Liga draw with Alaves on Saturday.

Aguero, 33, appeared to signal to the bench before going down clutching his chest just before half time. He received treatment for several minutes before being helped off the pitch.

"Sergio Aguero was struggling with chest pain for much of the first half and was replaced by Philippe Coutinho at half time and then taken to hospital for cardiac analysis," Barcelona said.

The Argentine was making his first start for the club since his move in the summer.

Aguero joined Barca on a two-year deal after 10 years at Manchester City, a spell which saw him become their all-time leading goalscorer with 260 goals and saw them crowned Premier League champions five times.

"I was told he was feeling a bit dizzy. I have just learnt that he was taken to hospital and I can't say much more until I know," Barcelona's caretaker coach Sergi Barjuan said.

With Barcelona great Xavi expected to become permanent successor to the sacked Ronald Koeman, B team coach Barjuan took control of Saturday evening’s game.

Memphis Depay put Barca ahead four minutes after half time but the hosts were unable to fully bounce back from successive defeats to Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano as Luis Rioja swiftly equalised.

Real Madrid reclaimed top spot – eight points ahead of ninth-placed Barca – following a 2-1 triumph at 10-man Elche.

Vinicius Junior claimed both Real goals, either side of Raul Guti being dismissed for a second bookable offence, before Pere Milla claimed the hosts’ late consolation.

Sevilla are level on points with Carlo Ancelotti’s men – and Real Sociedad – after strikes from Diego Carlos and Lucas Ocampos secured a 2-0 win over Osasuna, while Valencia defeated rivals Villarreal by the same scoreline thanks to Hugo Guillamon’s first-half finish and a Carlos Soler penalty.