Former Milan defender Alex announced has undergone a quadruple heart bypass and denied reports he had suffered a heart attack.
The 39-year-old, who was with the Rossoneri from 2014 to 2016. explained the situation via a video message shared on Santos’ social media channels.
He said: “I am here to say thank you for the love and support and all of your prayers. Thank God, I’m well.
“The news I had a heart attack is not true. I discovered this issue a few days ago and we decided along with the doctors to undergo a coronary bypass as I had four blocked arteries.
“As you can see, it went well. Thank God, I’m well. I have just left intensive care and I’m in a normal room.
“I will be staying in hospital for another five or six days and I will soon be going home.”
Alex, an ex-central defender, started his career with Santos in 2002, where he won a Brazilian title before being signed by Chelsea in 2004.
Work permit issues meant he moved to PSV Eindhoven for three years and he won three consecutive Eredivisie titles before returning to Stamford Bridge in 2007 and was an important member of the Chelsea side which reached its first Champions League final that season.
Alex won a Premier League title before he moved to Paris Saint-Germain in January 2012 and added another two Ligue 1 championships.
He spent two seasons with the Rossoneri and made 48 appearances in all competitions and scored four goals.
Alex was also part of the Brazil side which won the 2007 Copa America.
Nosso ídolo mandou um recado para tranquilizar a Nação Santista! Estamos todos com você e torcendo pela sua rápida recuperação, Alex! 🤍🖤 pic.twitter.com/7RZpdyBFpb
— Santos FC (@SantosFC) June 3, 2022
Oh wow, that’s a big operation. Best of luck to Alex.