The Brazilian Pelé, living legend of football, was operated on Monday for a tumor in the colon in a hospital in Sao Paulo.
The tumor was discovered during routine examinations and a biopsy will be performed, the Albert Einstein hospital said Monday, where "King" Pelé was admitted six days ago and is "recovering" in a hospital. intensive care unit.
According to the G1 news site, "King" Pelé, 80, has not been released from Albert Einstein hospital since August 31.
That day, the three-time world champion had posted a message on social networks, assuring that he was "in good health" and denying rumors that he had passed out.
"I went to the hospital for routine examinations that I had not been able to perform before because of the pandemic," he explained, without specifying that he remained hospitalized.
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Pelé, whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, has been in poor health in recent years, with several hospitalizations.
The last dates back to April 2019, in Paris, because of 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 is also diminished by hip problems and was able to move 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".
