Real Madrid and Brazil icon Roberto Carlos was rushed to hospital with what would later be confirmed as an issue with his heart, resulting in a three-hour surgery
12:52, 31 Dec 2025
Brazil icon Roberto Carlos playing at the 2002 World Cup(Image: Bongarts/Getty Images)
Real Madrid and Brazil legend Roberto Carlos has been rushed to hospital for emergency heart surgery, according to Spanish media.
According to AS, Carlos was taken in for treatment after a small clot was found in his leg. However, an MRI has now confirmed he has a problem with his heart.
The football legend, now 52, has now underwent a three-hour procedure to fit a tube and correct the issue.
The operation was only scheduled to take 40 minutes but a reported issue, which details of have not been made public, caused it to go on for hours more.
Carlos has now been kept in hospital for 48 hours as a precaution during his recovery.
Carlos has now undergone surgery on his heart(Image: Getty Images)
Speaking to the Spanish publication via his entourage, a positive Carlos said: “I’m fine now.”
Carlos was only recently back on football fans screen as the legendary left back was involved in the draw for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, along with President Donald Trump.
The surgery marks the second health scare that Carlos has suffered this year. In April, he was due to travel to Nepal but fell ill, reports The Mirror.
The legendary defender would eventually arrive in Kathmandu, but several days later in time for a football competition finals.
Roberto Carlos played in a Corazon Classic Match back in June(Image: Getty Images)
Carlos had one amazing career in football, winning every major team title he could have during his time with Palmeiras, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
He became an icon at Real Madrid with 527 appearances and 69 goals. He won four league titles, three Champions Leagues and a whole host of other trophies at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Carlos went on to play for Fenerbahce, Corinthians and Anzi Makhachkala.
He made 125 appearances for the Brazilian national team, helping them to the 2002 World Cup.
Carlos later went into management with spells with Sivasspor, Akhisar Belediyespor and Dehli Dynamos.
He has also featured in a number Soccer Aid matches, but also turned out for a Shropshire-based Sunday league team back in 2022.
