After Oscar scare, remember players who faced heart problems in football

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The São Paulo midfielder scared the club last Tuesday (11/11), when he suffered a cardiac arrhythmia during physical examinations at the Barra Funda CT. The player lost consciousness for a few seconds while performing a test on the exercise bike and was taken by ambulance to Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, in São Paulo.

Cases like the athlete’s are not unprecedented in football. Over the years, several athletes discovered heart disease, some managed to return to the field, others had to end their careers early. In some episodes, the outcome was tragic, with deaths on the field.

Washington — “Braveheart”

In 2002, while playing for Fenerbahçe, in Türkiye, Washington was diagnosed with a heart problem. He underwent catheterization and angioplasty, and returned to the pitch less than a year later, playing for Athletico-PR. The nickname “Braveheart” was born from this overcoming. The center forward ended his career in 2011, after winning the 2010 Brasileirão with Fluminense.

Marc-Vivien Foé — Tragedy in the Confederations Cup

In 2003, Cameroonian Marc-Vivien Foé fell to the pitch during the semi-final of the Confederations Cup, between Cameroon and Colombia, in France. The player, just 28 years old, suffered a sudden death and did not survive, even after attempts at resuscitation. Further examinations revealed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a disease that affects the heart muscle.

Serginho — Most notable case in Brazil

Defender Serginho, from São Caetano, starred in one of the saddest episodes in Brazilian football. In 2004, during a match against São Paulo in the Brasileirão, the defender had a cardiac arrest and fell on the field, at Morumbi. He was taken to the hospital, but died at the age of 30. The case led to changes in the CBF’s medical protocols.

Everton Costa — Early retirement

Striker with spells at Grêmio, Internacional and Santos, Everton Costa suffered a cardiac arrhythmia during the Rio team’s match against Resende, in the 2014 Copa do Brasil. The player underwent surgery to implant an internal defibrillator, but was not released to return to the pitch. He ended his career at the age of 29.

Adilson — Diagnosis during Copa América

Revealed by Grêmio, midfielder Adilson was playing for Atlético-MG when he discovered hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the same disease that killed Serginho, Foé and Hungarian Fehér. The diagnosis was made during the 2019 Copa América break. At the age of 32, the player announced his retirement and began his career away from the pitch.

Iker Casillas — Idol who stopped the world of football

In 2019, goalkeeper Iker Casillas, a Real Madrid idol and then Porto player, suffered a heart attack during training. The Spaniard was quickly treated and underwent cardiac catheterization. About to turn 38, Casillas never entered the field professionally again and made his retirement official the following year.

Christian Eriksen — Eurocopa

During the 2021 Euro Cup, Danish Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest on the field, in the match against Finland. The midfielder was resuscitated and remained hospitalized for days. After surgery to implant a cardioverter defibrillator, he resumed his career. Prevented from playing in Italy due to medical restrictions, he left Inter Milan and returned to football in England. Recovered, he competed in the World Cup in Qatar.

Sergio Agüero — Abrupt end at Barcelona

At the end of 2021, Argentine Sergio Agüero, recently arrived at Barcelona, ​​felt unwell in his chest during a match against Alavés, in the Spanish Championship. Undergoing tests, he was diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia and had to be hospitalized. Shortly afterwards, he announced his retirement at the age of 33, ending one of the most remarkable careers in modern football.

Izquierdo – Morumbi in shock

Nacional’s defender Juan Izquierdo suffered a sudden illness against São Paulo and passed away on August 27, 2024.

A state of apprehension took over the players, who signaled for the defender to be attended to quickly. One of the ambulances entered the field. The player was immobilized, removed from the stadium and taken to Albert Einstein’s Morumbi unit.

Death was confirmed five days after hospitalization and the sudden illness suffered in Morumbi.