Pele undergoes surgery to remove colon tumor
Sao Paulo, Sep 6 (EFE).- Brazilian soccer legend Pele said Monday that he underwent surgery two days ago to remove a tumor from his colon and is still receiving treatment at a Sao Paulo hospital.
“Last Saturday, I underwent surgery to remove a suspicious lesion in the right colon,” the 80-year-old posted on social media. “The tumor was identified during the tests I mentioned last week.”
Pele, who has been recovering in an intensive-care unit, was admitted to the prestigious Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital for a series of routine tests that had been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The tumor has been sent for pathological analysis, that hospital said in a statement.
“My friends, thank you very much for the kind messages. I thank God for feeling very well and for allowing Dr. Fabio and Dr. Miguel to take care of my health,” he said. “Fortunately, I’m used to celebrating great victories alongside you. I will face this match with a smile on my face, a lot of optimism and joy for living surrounded by the love of my family and friends.”
The hospital said Pele is recovering well in the ICU and is scheduled to be transferred to a regular room on Tuesday.
A member of three World Cup championship teams, Pele has been in declining health over the past few years.
Due in part to his weaker condition and to the pandemic, he has stayed out of the media spotlight of late at his home on the coast of Sao Paulo state. EFE
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