Brazilian Pelé, 80, underwent surgery for ‘suspicious’ colon tumor

Published on : 09/07/2021 – 09:04

World football legend Pelé underwent surgery on Saturday for a “suspicious” colon tumor, Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo announced Monday (September 6th). The Brazilian is “recovering” in an intensive care unit, said the health establishment.

The tumor was discovered during routine examinations and a biopsy will be performed, said the hospital, where “King” Pelé has been staying since August 31.

“Thank God I feel very good (…) Fortunately, I am used to celebrating great victories by your side. I will play this new game with a smile and a lot of optimism”, wrote the three-time champion of the world on his Instagram account.

Increasingly fragile health

Pelé is due out of intensive care on Tuesday, the hospital said in a statement. The health of what many consider the greatest footballer of all time has been fragile in recent years, with several hospitalizations.

The last dates back to April 2019, in Paris, due to a severe urinary tract infection. Back in Brazil, he had a kidney stone removed.

At the end of 2014, Pelé had already suffered from a serious urinary tract infection and was placed in intensive care and on dialysis. He has only one kidney since the days when he was still a player. A broken rib during a match damaged his right kidney which was eventually removed. In November 2012, he had undergone surgery on his femur.

Pelé is also weakened by hip problems and was moving around using a walker during his last public appearances.

In February 2020, Pelé had wished to reassure his admirers about his mental health, after remarks by his son Edinho saying that he was living “reclusive” and suffering “from a certain form of depression”.

The Brazilian remains one of the last sacred monsters of football, after the deaths of Johan Cruyff, in 2016, and especially Diego Maradona, last December.

With AFP