Brazilian football great Pele has undergone surgery for a suspected colon tumour and is recovering, the hospital in Sao Paolo treating him announced on Monday.The Albert Einstein Hospital released a statement regarding the 80-year-old Pele’s condition.”The tumour was identified during routine cardiovascular and laboratory examinations and the material was sent for pathological analysis.”Pele has been in the hospital for six days with an undisclosed health problem, but there is no reason to worry according to his business manager, per @TheAthletic pic.twitter.com/Hq1vAysALR— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 6, 2021 Pele is due out of intensive care on Tuesday, the hospital said in a statement. In the meantime, the legendary footballer took to Instagram to inform the public about his current state.”I thank God for feeling very well. 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, 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. Friday, 03.30: (1.32) Brazil (5.10) Peru (10.0)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”.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.© Agence France-Presse
