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Former Real Madrid and Brazil full-back Roberto Carlos is recovering in hospital after undergoing heart surgery.

Roberto Carlos, 52, had the operation in Brazil after initially being submitted to hospital to undergo tests on his leg.

The 2002 World Cup winner said he is “recovering well” in a post on his Instagram on Wednesday.

Roberto Carlos retired from playing in 2012 following a senior career that spanned 21 years and included spells at Palmeiras, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Fenerbahce, Corinthians and Anzhi Makhachkala.

He spent 11 years at Real Madrid between 1996 and 2007, winning four La Liga titles and the Champions League on three occasions, and now holds and ambassadorial role at the club.

Widely regarded among football’s greatest left backs, Roberto Carlos made 125 appearances for Brazil between 1992 and 2006. He was part of the Brazil side that won the World Cup in 2002 and reached the final in 1998, and was pictured at the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington DC in December.

The former Brazil international was renowned for his ability at set pieces, with his goal against France in 1997 often cited as the greatest free kick of all time.

He briefly came out of retirement in 2015 as part of a player-coach role at Indian Super League side Delhi Dynamos, before departing the club in 2016.

Guillermo began his career covering Real Madrid and the sports industry for Diario AS. He later moved to London and became AS and Cadena Ser correspondent. He has since returned to Madrid and joins us at The Athletic where he will deliver Real Madrid news, interviews, stories, and more. Follow Guillermo on Twitter @GuillermoRai_