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Pelé leaves hospital to continue with chemotherapy

Sao Paulo, Sep 30 (EFE).- Brazilian soccer great Pelé was discharged Thursday after a month-long stay in a Sao Paulo hospital where a tumor was removed from his colon.

The 80-year-old is stable and will continue treatment with chemotherapy, said the latest bulletin from Albert Einstein Hospital, one of the most prestigious private clinics in Brazil.

Pelé celebrated his release, posting a photo on social media of himself with medical staff and his wife Marcia Aoki.

“When the path is difficult, celebrate each step of the journey. Focus on your happiness,” he wrote. “It’s true that I can’t jump anymore, but these past few days, I’ve been punching the air more times than usual. I am so happy to be back at home.”

“I want to thank the entire Albert Einstein Hospital team, who made my stay a pleasant one, with a humane and very affectionate welcome. Thanks also to all of you, who from afar, make my life complete with so many messages of love.”

Pelé was hospitalized on Aug. 31 for routine examinations that he had postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and which detected a suspicious tumor in the colon, which was operated on four days later.

After surgery, he spent several days in the intensive care unit until he was brought up to the ward.

However, on Sep. 17 he suffered brief respiratory instability, and was transferred to semi-intensive care, according to the hospital.

Since then, Pelé and his family have shared videos and photographs on their social media pages showing his progress.

The former Santos and Cosmos player, considered by many to be the best in history, has been shown in the videos pedaling on a stationary bike and exchanging a medicine ball with a hospital physiotherapist, among other activities.

During his hospital stay, Pelé has been accompanied by his daughter Kely Nascimento, who traveled from the United States, as well as Aoki.

The Brazilian Football Confederation also cheered Pelé’s discharge on Thursday.

“Such good news deserves to be much celebrated! Pelé left the hospital today, in another step of his full recovery. The Football Kingdom celebrates your health, King!” it wrote on Twitter.

The Brazilian star’s health has deteriorated in recent years due to spinal, hip and knee problems that have reduced his mobility and forced him to undergo surgery, in addition to suffering from some kidney problems. EFE

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