Pele discharged from hospital after Brazil icon had tumour removed

Brazilian football legend Pele has said he is “very happy to be back at the house” having been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for nearly a month.

The 80-year-old had a tumour removed from the right side of his colon on September 4, which he claimed was found during routine check-ups which he had not undergone due to the pandemic.

Pele briefly spent time in intensive care after the surgery due to “a brief breathing instability” but was released on Thursday, according to reports.

Albert Einstein Hospital where he had been staying announced on Thursday that he was stable but would “continue with chemotherapy.”

Pele has left hospital and is now in the comfort of his own home

The legendary forward posted on Facebook: “When the road is hard, celebrate every step of the journey. Focus on your happiness.

“It’s true that I can’t jump anymore, but these past few days I’ve been punching the air more often than usual.

“I’m very happy to be back at my house.

“I want to thank all the staff at Albert Einstein Hospital, who made my stay pleasant…Thank you also to all of you who by far make my life complete with so many messages of love.”

Pele is renowned for being a figure who has transcended football and become a world-wide icon.

But it was his playing career which shot him to stardom, having stunned the footballing world by scoring six goals at the 1958 World Cup as a 17-year-old.

He went on to become Brazil’s highest all-time goal-scorer with 77 goals in 92 matches – a record which still stands today.

Pele averaged nearly a goal a game in his career and is adored in Brazil for delivering three World Cup trophies across three decades in spectacular style.