Brazilian football great Pele underwent surgery for a suspected colon tumor and is recovering at the Sao Paulo hospital, the football news was announced on Monday. The Albert Einstein Hospital, where 80-year-old Pele was treated since August 31, said “the tumor was identified during routine cardiovascular and laboratory examinations and the material was sent for pathological analysis.”
The three-time World Cup winner posted a message on social media six days ago, saying he was “healthy” and refuted rumors that he had fainted. “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 said in his August 31 post, without mentioning that he remained in the hospital.
Lately, on Monday, Pele uploaded another Instagram post and revealed about his surgery confirming that the operation was successful. He wrote: “My friends, thank you very much for the kind messages. I thank God for feeling very well and for allowing Dr. Fábio and Dr. Miguel to take care of my health.”
“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,” Brazil legend added.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, famously known as Pele, has been in poor health in recent years and has had several hospital visits, most recently in April 2019, in Paris, due to a serious urinary tract infection.
Back in Brazil, a kidney stone was removed. In late 2014, he suffered from a severe urinary tract infection and was placed in intensive care and dialysis. He also has hip problems and was required to walk around during his last public appearance.
In February 2020, Pele reassured his fans about his mental health after his son Edinho commented that he was “isolating” and suffering from “a certain form of depression”. The only player in history to have won three World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970), Pele is considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time.
