Pele ´recovering well´ as daughter of Brazil legend provides update

Pele’s daughter has revealed the Brazil legend is “recovering well” amid reports he has been readmitted to intensive care. 

The 80-year-old, Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, has been in Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein Hospital since undergoing surgery to remove a tumour from his colon. 

Pele revealed earlier in the week that he had left intensive care, stating in an Instagram post that he was ready to “play 90 minutes, plus extra time” as he continued his recovery. 

With Brazilian media on Friday reporting he had been readmitted, Kely Nascimento, Pele’s daughter, took to social media to offer an encouraging update, along with a picture of her smiling father. 

She wrote: “He’s recovering well and within the frame of normal. I promise!” 

Nascimento added: “After a surgery like that, sometimes it’s two steps forward and one step back. Yesterday he was tired and stepped back. Today he gave two forwards!” 

The Brazil great is one of just four players to score in four different World Cups and managed 77 goals in 92 appearances for his country before retiring from international duty in 1971.