Global football legend and icon, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, also known as Pele, has been declared well enough to leave the Sao Paulo clinic where he has been receiving treatment for the last 15 days for a kidney problem.
Pele, 74, had been admitted just over two weeks ago, after complaining of abdominal pain, which sparked fears about his health. In early November, Pele underwent kidney stone treatment at the same clinic and was placed in intensive care at one point in time but appears to have now recovered.
Leaving the clinic, Pele was grinning broadly despite walking somewhat gingerly but he said he felt fit enough to play for Brazil at the Rio Olympics in 2016. He was hospitalised on November 24 with a suspected urinary tract infection requiring antibiotics and three days later, the hospital placed him in intensive care after his condition became clinically unstable, briefly alarming fans.
Pele said: “I wasn’t afraid of dying as I am a man with three hearts,” Pele joked, alluding to his birthplace, Tres Coracoes, which means three hearts in Portuguese.
“I am preparing for the Olympics as three professionals can play in the Olympics and I’m one of the three. We were at the Pele museum in Santos when I caught an infection and couldn’t attend an autograph signing session but thank God I am well and I’m better now.”
He thanked the many well-wishers from around the world who had passed on their regards over the past two weeks. Some Brazilian media reported Pele had septicaemia, a blood infection, after he initially failed to respond to treatment but the clinic stopped renal assistance three days later and moved Pele to semi-intensive care after extensive tests.
“I was very touched to receive messages from China, Pakistan, countries across Europe. I didn’t know so many people were keeping abreast of my situation.
“And of course I especially thank Brazilians for always supporting me. It’s good to know that as well as God’s help I have the support of so many people around the world,” Pele said.
Pele is reported to be living with only one kidney after the other was removed following a rib injury he suffered while playing for the New York Cosmos in the 1970s. He was named athlete of the 20th century by the International Olympic Committee in 1999, Pele helped Brazil to three World Cup titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
Widely regarded to be the greatest footballer of all time, Pele won his first World Cup at just 17, scoring twice in the final win over hosts Sweden in 1958. Although injured early on in 1962, when Brazil retained the trophy, he scored in Brazil’s 1970 final win over Italy.
In 1999, he was voted World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS). The same year, France Football asked their former Ballon d’Or winners to choose the Football Player of the Century; they selected Pelé. In 1999, Pelé was elected Athlete of the Century by the IOC, and Time named him in their list of 100 most influential people of the 20th century. In 2013 he received the FIFA Ballon d’Or Prix d’Honneur in recognition of his career and achievements as a global icon of football.
Undated photo of Pele with Muhammad Ali
