Brazilian football great Pele has undergone surgery for a suspected colon tumor and is recovering, the hospital in Sao Paulo announced on Monday.
Albert Einstein Hospital, where Pele has been treated since August 31, said “the tumor was identified during routine cardiovascular and laboratory examinations and the material was sent for pathological analysis.”
“Thank God for making me feel so good,” the 80-year-old wrote on his Instagram page on Monday.
“Luckily, I’m used to celebrating big wins with you.
“I will face this match with great optimism and happiness to be surrounded by a smile on my face, the love of my family and friends.”
The hospital said in a statement that Pele was out of intensive care on Tuesday.
His former club Santos shared a message of support for the star on Twitter. “This will be another victory in your life, we wish you good health!” Club said.
Pele, whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, has been in poor health in recent years, most recently in Paris in April 2019 due to a severe urinary tract infection, several times in hospital.
Back in Brazil, he had a kidney stone removed.
In late 2014, he suffered from a severe urinary tract infection and was placed in intensive care and on dialysis.
He also has hip problems and requires a walker to get around during his latest public appearance.
In February 2020, Pele reassured his fans about his mental health, following comments from his son Edinho that he was “isolating” and suffering from “a certain type of depression.”
three world cups
The only player in history to win three World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970), Pele is considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time.
He burst onto the global stage with a dazzling 17 goals in just 17, including two in the final against hosts Sweden since Brazil won the World Cup for the first time in 1958.
Four years later, Pele gave a fascinating glimpse of his potential with an electric individual goal in Brazil’s opening 2–0 victory against Mexico.
But he aggravated an existing injury in the second game against the Czechs, and was forced to sit out the remainder of the tournament as his countrymen successfully defended their title.
Nicknamed “O Rey” (The King), Pele made the opening batsman in Brazil’s 4–1 final victory over Italy in Mexico in 1970.
After retiring from international football, Pelé continued to play for the New York Cosmos, after which he ended his career with more than 1,000 goals.
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