Real Madrid Icon Roberto Carlos Undergoes Emergency Heart Surgery in Critical Health Scare
Real Madrid and Brazil icon Roberto Carlos was taken to hospital for urgent cardiac surgery while visiting his native country.
The 52-year-old former defender is celebrated as one of football's finest left-backs following his remarkable 11-season tenure at Madrid, where he secured four Spanish league championships and three European Cup victories between 1996 and 2007.
Reports from EL MUNDO indicate that Carlos had journeyed to São Paulo for a family holiday when he received a standard medical examination for a potential leg blood clot. The diagnostic tests revealed that the World Cup champion's cardiac function was compromised.
Carlos was immediately taken for what medical staff described as urgent surgical intervention to resolve the cardiac problem.
AS reports that unexpected complications prolonged the operation from its planned 40-minute duration to three full hours, though fortunately the outcome appears positive.
Because of these complications, MARCA indicates Carlos will remain hospitalized for approximately 48 hours under medical observation.
When approached for a statement by the Spanish publication, Carlos responded: "I'm doing well now and receiving careful medical attention."
Though primarily remembered for his Madrid years, Carlos's European journey started at Inter Milan, where he played only one campaign before tactical disagreements led to his high-profile transfer to the Santiago Bernabéu.
Carlos featured in 527 matches for Madrid, contributing 69 goals and 117 assists during an illustrious career that later included stints at Fenerbahçe, Corinthians and Anzhi Makhachkala before hanging up his boots in 2012.
He seamlessly moved into coaching and even returned as a player-manager for Delhi Dynamos during the 2015-16 campaign, though he has recently focused on his role as a Real Madrid ambassador.
Internationally, Carlos stands among Brazil's most celebrated players. Across 127 caps for his country, he claimed two Copa América trophies and was instrumental in Brazil's 2002 World Cup triumph.