Brazilian football legend, Pele is in intensive care days after undergoing surgery to remove a tumor on the right side of his colon.
It was discovered that the football icon had the tumor when he went for a routine cardiovascular and laboratory examination at the end of August 2021.
The 80-year-old football icon revealed earlier in the week that he was “recovery well” after the surgery. When he announced this, it was assumed that he had been discharged.
However, late on Friday, September 10, it was confirmed that Pele was still recovering after the surgery at an intensive care unit of Hospital Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The 80-year-old football icon who is the only player to ever win the FIFA World Cup three times, took to his verified Instagram page to give updates on his health status.
In his Instagram post shared on Friday, Pele shared a picture of his old self holding a ball saying that he was feeling “a little better”.
Pele used the caption to thank those who have been sending him goodwill messages since he underwent the operation, noting that he has more days to recover.
He wrote: “My friends, with each passing day I feel a little better. I’m looking forward to playing again, but I’m still going to recover for a few more days. While I’m here, I take the opportunity to talk a lot with my family and to rest. Thanks again for all the loving messages. We’ll be together again soon!”
While a statement from the hospital where the football icon is currently recovering announced that Pele is recovering in “a satisfactory manner”. The hospital also confirmed that the football icon was still recovering at the hospital’s intensive care unit.
Initially, Pele was expected to be moved to a regular hospital room last Tuesday but had to remain at the intensive care until further notice.
Even though he is still at the intensive care unit, the hospital revealed that the football icon is awake, actively talking, and keeping his vital signs in normality.
The update on Pele’s health is coming days after Lionel Messi of Argentina broke his record as the South American player with the highest number of goals in international football.
Pele has 77 goals in 92 games for Brazil in official international football games. While Messi has scored 79 goals in 153 games for Argentina.
The only records left for Pele are Brazilian highest goal scorer in international football, and the only male player to ever win the FIFA World Cup three times.
