Football news - Brazilian football legend Pele undergoes operation to have tumour removed from colon
Updated 06/09/2021 at 19:50 GMT
Eighty-year-old Brazilian former footballer Pele has undergone surgery in Sao Paulo to have a tumour on the right side of his colon removed, he confirmed on Monday. He is intensive care but is expected to be moved into a standard room in hospital, he said on his social media accounts. He has suffered from occasional bouts of ill health over the last decade.
Brazilian football legend Pele has undergone an operation to have a tumour on the right side of his colon removed.
The 80-year-old former footballer is now in intensive care, and Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo released a statement saying he would be transferred to a standard room on Tuesday.
Pele said he would “face this match with a smile on (his) face”.
Pele posted on his social media accounts: “I thank God for feeling very well and for allowing Dr. Fabio 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."
In an Instagram post on his account, he said: “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!”
Pele has used walkers and wheelchairs on occasion since 2012 after a failed hip replacement, and has had both kidney and prostate problems over the last few years. He is Brazil’s top scorer with 77 goals and is a three-time World Cup winner.
Join 3M+ users on app
Download
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement