New Delhi: Three time World Cup winner Pelé on Saturday apparently undewent surgery to get a tumor removed on the right side of his colon, news agency AP reported. The legendary footballer will be transferred to a regular room on Tuesday and is currently in an intensive care unit at Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo.
The operation was a “great victory,” Pelé said on his social media channels on Monday.
“I thank God for feeling very well and for allowing Dr. Fábio and Dr. Miguel to take care of my health,” Pele said, as per news agency AP. “Last Saturday I underwent surgery to remove a suspicious lesion in the right colon. The tumor was identified during the tests I mentioned last week.
“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 the only footballer in World Cup history to have won three titles with his nation Brazil, besides being a goal poacher with over 1,000 goals in a professional career that spanned 22 years.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, globally known as Pelé, was hospitalized last Tuesday. He used his social media channels to deny he was in poor health.
“Guys, I didn’t faint and I’m in very good health. I went for my routine exams, which I had not been able to do before because of the pandemic. Let them know I don’t play next Sunday,” he joked in the tweet.