Brazil and Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos is recovering in hospital after suffering a heart attack that required emergency surgery earlier this week, according to Spanish media reports on Wednesday.
The 52-year-old former left-back was on vacation in Brazil when he visited a hospital in São Paulo for what was initially described as a routine medical check-up on his leg.
During medical examinations, doctors discovered a serious underlying issue, a blood clot that had significantly reduced his heart’s pumping capacity.
Medical staff immediately decided that urgent surgery was required. The operation reportedly lasted around three hours and was successful. Roberto Carlos is now in stable condition and remains under close medical observation.
Sources close to the former Brazil international said his recovery is progressing well. Roberto Carlos also confirmed the update in comments to AS, saying: “I’m doing well now and I’m under close observation.”
Doctors are expected to keep him in the hospital for at least two more days to continue monitoring his condition before deciding on the next steps in his recovery.
Roberto Carlos enjoyed a long and successful playing career spanning nearly two decades. He earned 127 international caps for Brazil and played a key role in the country’s 2002 FIFA World Cup victory in South Korea and Japan.
At club level, he became a global icon during his time at Real Madrid, where he played 527 competitive matches between 1996 and 2007.
During that period, he won four La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies, establishing himself as one of the most influential attacking full-backs in football history.
Since retiring from professional football, Roberto Carlos has remained closely linked with Real Madrid and currently serves as an ambassador for the club.
