'I'm doing fine' says Pele after intensive care scare

The 74-year-old striker remains in a Sao Paulo hospital where he is being treated for a urinary tract infection, but his condition is improving.

“I want to take this opportunity to let you know that I am doing fine,” Pele said via his Facebook and Twitter pages.

“I am blessed to receive your love and support, and thank God this is nothing serious.

“I was simply relocated to a special room within the hospital for privacy purposes only.

"While I appreciate all the visitors that came to see me, I really need to continue my treatment and recovery in peace.”

The Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo said Pele was receiving renal support treatment, which helps kidneys to filter waste products from the blood, after he had an operation to remove kidney stones earlier this month.

Earlier on Thursday, Pele was moved to a special care unit at the hospital, suffering what the hospital called "clinical instability." It did not provide details.

After that move, Jose Fornos Rodrigues, the former player's personal aide, told Reuters that Pele was "completely fine" and had been moved primarily to protect his privacy.

"He was uncomfortable with so many people coming. It'll be quieter now," Rodrigues said.

Pele's manager, Paul Kemsley, said in a statement: "He is expected to make a quick and full recovery from a minor infection caused by his recent successful surgery."

Pele was discharged from the same hospital on November 13 after the kidney stones surgery.

Often called the greatest football player in history, Pele has suffered a long list of health problems in the past decade, including emergency eye surgery for a detached retina and a hip replacement.