Former Real Madrid and Brazil left-back Roberto Carlos has reportedly been rushed to hospital after being diagnosed with a heart problem in his native country.
Carlos, 52, had been enjoying the festivities between Christmas and New Year with his wife and child before being taken ill.
Reports from Spanish outlet AS claim that the former Brazil international, who earned 128 caps for the South American nation between 1992 and 2006, went for a medical test on his leg, where he “has a small blood clot”.
On further inspection, a full body MRI revealed that “his heart was not functioning" as it should.
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Carlos was then admitted for surgery and had a “catheter inserted” in a 40-minute procedure that eventually lasted three hours due to reported complications.
According to AS, the procedure was successful, and the 52-year-old will remain under medical observation for another 48 hours.
The former full-back, who represented Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Fenerbahce among other clubs, confirmed he was “fine and under close surveillance” when contacted by the Spanish outlet.
After initially retiring following a spell at Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, Carlos coached the side before enjoying managerial stints at Sivasspor, Akhisarspor, and Delhi Dynamos, for whom he briefly played between 2015 and 2016.
The former left-back now acts as an ambassador for Real Madrid, having scored 69 goals and provided 117 assists in 527 appearances for the La Liga side.
Carlos also helped Los Blancos win 13 major trophies – three UEFA Champions League crowns, two Intercontinental Cups, one European Super Cup, four La Liga titles, and three Spanish Super Cups – in his 11 seasons in the Spanish capital.
On the international stage, the Garca-born former defender also made a huge impact and formed part of the iconic Brazil team – alongside Kaka, Ronaldo Nazario, and Ronaldinho - which won the 2002 FIFA World Cup, having lost the final against France in Paris four years prior. He also won two Copa America crowns - in 1997 and 1999.
The Brazilian was widely regarded as the first ‘flying full-back’ who paved the way for the modern-day attacking-minded players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Achraf Hakimi.
Topics: Roberto Carlos, Real Madrid, Brazil, Football
Luke Davies