Chelsea football star Deco's son battling a life threatening illness

London, Feb.23 (ANI): Chelsea star Deco's toddler son is battling a life-threatening illness.

According to The Sun, the midfielder has been told that his son David Luiz has a rare condition that weakens his immune system.

Doctors conducted tests on the youngster when he was rushed into intensive care with a fever while on holiday in Brazil with his mum.

Now, they have told Deco, 31, and his estranged wife Jaciara Diaz, 32, their son will need a painful bone marrow transplant in three or four years' time unless his condition improves.

The Brazilian-born footballer has been making dozens of long-distance phone calls for updates on his son's health.

Ex-model Jaciara, who split with Deco in March last year, said: "The doctors tell us that for now a bone-marrow transplant is not necessary.

"But when he is five or six, we'll probably have to deal with it. I have to be vigilant all the time. I never know when he's going to suffer a setback."

Jaciara and both her children by Deco - David Luiz and daughter Yasmin, five, - now live in Barcelona but were on holiday in the coastal city of Salvador when the tot fell ill last month.

Now Jaciara is hoping he will be well enough to fly back to Spain next week after doctors complete their checks. (ANI)