Pelé, the man considered by many to be the greatest soccer player ever, has been hospitalized after being diagnosed with a colon tumor, Brazilian media said.
Reports in Brazilian newspapers said that Pelé underwent surgery at a hospital in the city of Natal in central Brazil.
Reportedly, Dr. Rodrigo Nojadure Ferreira cleared the situation and expects him to recover completely from the procedure.
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The 89-year-old Pelé was rushed to hospital following a visit by relatives and described as “fine,” the Brazilian club Santos said in a statement.
Health officials in Brazil are waiting for a report from doctors at the hospital where Pelé underwent surgery before giving further details on the situation.
“Today at 4 p.m. at the Natal hospital, Pelé underwent surgery to have a tumor removed from his colon,” Santos, the Brazilian club owned by Pelé’s son, said in a statement late Monday night.
“Pelé is fine,” the club said. “The operation was performed by the world-renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Alfredo Oliveira dos Santos of Orlando Hospital, Natal.”
Brazilian newspapers reported he also had an implant in his abdomen, the S&R said.
Orlando surgery surgeon, Dr. Alfredo Oliveira dos Santos, who is also the president of the Pediatric Surgery at the Natal General Hospital, discussed the procedure in a telephone interview.
Pelé, known as the “King of Football,” won titles with Santos and Brazil, playing in five World Cups.
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Last month, he and Aznar celebrated 20 years as the same team when Santos beat Atlético de Madrid 3-1 to win the Copa Libertadores in June.
This is not the first health issue that has linked Pelé to suffering.
Brazilian doctors removed an abscess on the pelvis that were caused by kidney stones about 17 years ago.
Dr. Oliva De Oliveira Souza, the director of the hospital where Pelé will be admitted, said there was no possibility of self-referral and that the star will be in his native hospital when he is ready to be discharged.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.