Ex-Brazilian footballer Pelé is operated on for a tumor and he recovers well

By Mauricio Savarese - The Associated Press

Former Brazilian soccer player Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known worldwide as Pelé, was operated on for a suspicious tumor on the right side of the colon on September 4 and is recovering well.

The Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo reported Monday that the 80-year-old soccer legend is in an intensive care unit and will be transferred to a room on Tuesday.

The surgery was a "great victory," Pele said on his social media on Monday.The former footballer is recovering well and is expected to leave the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) this Tuesday, according to the health center.

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Pelé went to the hospital last week for a series of routine exams, detecting the apparent tumor.

"I thank God for feeling very good and allowing Dr. Fábio and Dr. Miguel to take care of my health," said Pelé. "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 am used to celebrating great victories with you.

I am going to face this game with a smile on my face, a lot of optimism and joy for living surrounded by the love of my family and friends ”.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento was hospitalized last Tuesday and used his networks to deny that he was in poor health.

Former Brazilian soccer player Pelé participates in the World Cup draw at the Moscow Kremlin, Russia, on December 1, 2017.AP Photo / Alexander Zemlianichenko

“People, I have not passed out and I am in good health.

I went to my routine exams, which I was unable to meet earlier due to the pandemic.

Let it be known that I will not play next Sunday, "he joked in a tweet.

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Pelé, the only player in history to have won three World Cups, has had difficulty getting around after a failed hip replacement operation in 2012. He has had to use wheelchairs in public and has also been admitted to hospital due to problems kidney and prostate.

Pelé was champion in the 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cups. He remains the historical scorer for the Brazilian team with 77 goals.