Brazilian soccer great Pele “is in better condition” though he remains in an intensive care unit being treated for a urinary tract infection, the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo said on Friday.
Pele, 74, is receiving renal support treatment, which helps kidneys to filter waste products from the blood, after surgery to remove kidney stones earlier this month. He is not on vasoactive drugs or other supportive therapies, the hospital said.
Pele, often called the greatest soccer player in history, has suffered a long list of health problems in the past decade, including emergency eye surgery for a detached retina and a hip replacement.
His manager, Paul Kemsley, said on Thursday he was expected to make a full recovery and that reports of his condition are being “greatly exaggerated.”
Known as "the King of soccer" in Brazil, Pele played in four World Cups and helped Brazil win the global tournament three times, the last in Mexico in 1970.
Twitter statement
On Thursday evening he took to Twitter to assure his well-wishers that he continues to recover.
”Hello everyone, I want to take this opportunity to let you know that I am doing fine.
”I was not put into intensive care today, I was simply relocated to a special room within the hospital for privacy purposes only.
”While I appreciate all the visitors that came to see me, I really need to continue my treatment and recovery in peace.
”I am blessed to receive your love and support, and thank God this is nothing serious.
”I am looking forward to spending the upcoming holidays with my family, and will start the new year with renewed health, with many international trips already planned! Thank you!”
