Bad news for former Fenerbahçe player Luiz Gustavo: He fell ill during training

Luiz Gustavo, who plays for Sao Paulo in Brazil and served as both a player and captain at Fenerbahçe between 2019 and 2022, may be forced to end his football career early due to an unexpected health problem. The 37-year-old Brazilian footballer faced a serious diagnosis following chest pain he experienced recently: pulmonary thromboembolism.

HE FELL ILL DURING TRAINING

On Saturday, April 5, Gustavo reported chest pain to the technical staff at Sao Paulo's training facility in Barra Funda and was rushed to the hospital. As a result of the examinations, a clot was detected in his pulmonary vessels. Following the diagnosis, the star footballer was admitted to the Albert Einstein Hospital near MorumBis Stadium. It has been reported that Gustavo, who is currently under treatment at the hospital, has not yet been discharged.

IT CAN BE FATAL

To better understand the seriousness of the situation, one of Brazil's leading newspapers, Estadao, spoke with pulmonologist Dr. Sandra Guimaraes. Dr. Guimaraes, who works at the Alemao Oswaldo Cruz Hospital, stated that pulmonary thromboembolism is a serious clinical condition that occurs when a clot circulating in the body blocks the pulmonary vessels.

"This type of condition can be a turning point for athletes," said Guimaraes, noting that symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, and coughing. The expert explained that the clot, which usually originates from the veins in the legs, can reach the lungs through the circulatory system, and pointed out that post-surgery, long journeys, trauma, or a sedentary lifestyle can trigger this disease.

HE MAY BID FAREWELL TO FOOTBALL

The fact that Luiz Gustavo contracted this condition during an active period on the field makes the situation even more complex. Indeed, just a few days before his complaint, Gustavo had played in the Copa Libertadores match against the Argentine team Talleres.

Dr. Guimaraes stated that depending on the size of the clot in the lung and its effect on the vessel, the circulatory system could be seriously affected, and in some cases, it could even cause sudden death.

According to experts, it can take about 15 days for the body to adapt to this situation and for the circulatory system to restore balance. During this process, Gustavo's health status will be closely monitored. Guimaraes said, "There is a possibility of recovery, but it is too early to say anything definitive at this point."

However, the even more critical aspect of the matter concerns the medication Gustavo must take. Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, used as part of the treatment, carry a high risk for contact sports like football. Dr. Guimaraes emphasized that an athlete using these drugs could face life-threatening danger if they receive a blow, stating, "This situation makes it seriously difficult for him to continue his career."

News Source: 12punto