( CNN ) -- Italian football champions AC Milan have announced that Antonio Cassano will undergo heart surgery , after the striker was hospitalized following last weekend 's 3-2 win against Roma . The Italy international fell ill after Saturday 's match at the Stadio Olimpico , with a statement from the seven-time European champions on Wednesday confirming the 29-year-old experienced `` ischemic cerebral damage . '' The condition was caused by a malformation in Cassano 's heart , resulting in poor blood flow to the brain -- which can lead to possible vision , movement and speech restrictions . Milan said he suffered no lasting neurological damage but will now face months on the sidelines . Messi treble puts Barca into the last 16 . `` AC Milan , according to medical reports of the Policlinico in Milan , have said that Antonio Cassano has experienced ischemic cerebral damage , '' read the statement on the 18-time Serie A title winners ' official website . `` The cause was identified as the presence of a patent foramen ovale septal heart , detectable only with sophisticated specialized investigations . The timing of therapy established has allowed a rapid recovery and improvement of clinical conditions . `` In the coming days the player will undergo a small surgical interventional cardiology ( closure of the foramen ovale ) . The recovery time for return to playing will be better defined after the surgery , but probably will be a few months . '' In Cassano 's absence , the Rossoneri ensured their progression into the last 16 of the European Champions League on Tuesday with a 1-1 draw at BATE Borisov of Belarus . Ghana midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng revealed a shirt with Cassano 's name and number on it after striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave Massimiliano Allegri 's side a first-half lead . Midfielder Renan Bressan later equalized for BATE from the penalty spot , but a point was enough to ensure Milan 's place in the knockout stages . An often controversial figure , Cassano began his career with hometown club Bari before making a big-money move to Roma as a teenager in 2001 . After five years in the Italian capital he switched to Spain with nine-time European champions Real Madrid . Following an unhappy spell ruined by injury and a falling-out with coach Fabio Capello , Cassano returned home to Sampdoria in 2008 after a season 's loan before joining Milan in January this year -- a move prompted by another dispute , this time with the Genoa side 's chairman Riccardo Garrone . He will be hoping to recover in time to be part of Cesare Prandelli 's Italy squad for next year 's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine , which starts in June 2012 .
AC Milan 's Kevin Prince Boateng will undergo heart surgery . The striker was taken ill after months 's 29 -2 win over Italy . The Roma international has been diagnosed with a heart condition . Cassano , 29 , will now face months on the sidelines .