Brazilian football great Pele has
undergone surgery for a suspected colon tumor and is recovering, the hospital
in Sao Paulo treating him announced on Monday.
"The tumor was identified during routine cardiovascular and laboratory
examinations and the material was sent for pathological analysis," said the
Albert Einstein Hospital, where Pele has been treated since August 31.
"I thank God for feeling very well," the 80-year-old wrote on his Instagram
page on Monday. "Fortunately, I'm used to celebrating great victories
alongside you.
"I will face this match with a smile on my face, a lot of optimism and joy
for living surrounded by the love of my family and friends."
Pele is due out of intensive care on Tuesday, the hospital said in a
statement.
His former club Santos shared a message of support for the star on Twitter.
"It will be one more victory in your life, we wish you a good recovery!" the
club said.
Pele, whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, has been in poor
health in recent years, and has had various spells in hospital, most recently
in April 2019, in Paris, because of a severe urinary tract infection.
Back in Brazil, he had a kidney stone removed.
At the end of 2014, he suffered from a serious urinary tract infection and
was placed in intensive care and on dialysis.
He also has hip problems and needed a walker to move around during his
latest public appearances.
In February 2020, Pele reassured his fans about his mental health, after
remarks by his son Edinho saying that he was "reclusive" and suffering "from
a certain form of depression."
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