Roberto Carlos Undergoes Emergency Heart Surgery During Leg Treatment in Brazil

Former football legend Roberto Carlos underwent urgent heart surgery in Brazil after tests for a leg clot revealed serious heart issues; he is now stable and under observation.

    Key details

  • • Roberto Carlos required emergency heart surgery discovered during leg examination in Brazil.
  • • Initial surgery expected to last 40 minutes extended to three hours due to complications.
  • • Carlos's condition is stable; he is recovering and will remain hospitalized for 48 hours.
  • • He had a successful career at Real Madrid and is now a club ambassador.

Roberto Carlos, the legendary former Brazilian football star, underwent emergency heart surgery while in Brazil for a leg examination in early December 2025. Initially seeking medical attention for a blood clot in his left leg, doctors discovered significant heart problems during routine tests, including a reduction in heart pump function.

The surgery, which was expected to last 40 minutes, extended to three hours due to complications. According to reports and Roberto Carlos himself, his condition is now stable. He stated, "I am doing well now. I am being well taken care of." After the operation, he will remain hospitalized for an additional 48 hours for observation.

Roberto Carlos, 52, had a distinguished career with Real Madrid from 1996 to 2007, winning multiple titles such as four La Liga championships and three Champions League trophies. Since his retirement in 2016, he has served as an ambassador for the club. Despite the sudden health crisis, sources close to him have confirmed that he is "out of danger" and recovering well.

This unexpected medical emergency highlights the seriousness of his condition, which was only uncovered during examinations initially focused on his leg. The football icon's recovery and ongoing monitoring underline the swift action taken by medical professionals in Brazil during his holiday.

This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.

The top news stories in Germany

Delivered straight to your inbox each morning.