Football Legend Pele In ICU After Critical Surgery

Sao Paulo: Football legend Pele remained in intensive care unit after undergoing a critical surgery for colon tumour at a hospital in this Brazilian city.

However, doctors treating the 80-year-old Pele said he was making satisfactory recovery and “actively conversing and displaying vital signs within normal range”.

Pele also took to Instagram to reassure his fans. “My friends, with each passing day, I feel a little better. I’m looking forward to playing again, but I’m still going to recover for a few more days,” he wrote.

“While I’m here, I take the opportunity to talk a lot with my family and to rest. Thanks again for all the loving messages. We’ll be together again soon,” he added.

According to doctors, the tumour was detected during routine tests at Albert Einstein Hospital, where Pele has been undergoing treatment since August 31.

Considered by many as the greatest footballer of all time, Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pele’s real name) has been in poor health in recent years.

Fondly referred to as “O Rei” (The King), Pele is the only player in history to win three  World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970).

He burst onto the global stage at just 17 with dazzling goals, including two in the final against hosts Sweden, as Brazil won the World Cup for the first time in 1958. He went on to have one of the most storied careers in sport, scoring more than 1,000 goals before retiring in 1977.