Pele, the living football legend, has been hospitalized for six days in Sao Paulo, due to health problems that emerged during routine examinations, several local media reported on Monday.
According to the G1 news site, "King" Pelé, aged 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.
Several Brazilian media have reported "health problems" discovered during these examinations, which would have motivated a prolonged hospitalization.
His son evoked "a form of depression"
"As soon as the doctors have completed all the examinations, we will issue a press release," a member of Pelé's entourage told AFP.
The Albert Einstein hospital for its part declared that it “had no information” about the hospitalization of the ex-footballer, nor about his state of health.
The Brazilian, whose health is fragile in recent years, has recently suffered 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. Last year, he wanted to reassure his admirers after his son Edinho said he was living "recluse" and suffering "from a certain form of depression".
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