SIPA USA

Football legend Pele readmitted to intensive care after having tumor removed

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Sep 17, 2021 4:06 PM ET

The worldwide sports community was saddened to learn earlier this month that Pele, believed by many to be the greatest footballer in history, was hospitalized for what was originally an undisclosed medical condition later confirmed to be a tumor in his colon that was removed:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pelé (@pele)

The 80-year-old Brazilian icon left Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo on Tuesday following successful surgery, but Reuters (h/t Sky Sports) noted Friday that he has re-entered an intensive care unit.

Individuals from the hospital did not offer any specifics about Pele's health.

The three-time World Cup winner who is arguably the world's most famous athlete ever took to Instagram earlier in the week to update his condition.

"I have already left the ICU and I am in my room," the caption read. " I continue every day happier, with a lot of disposition to play 90 minutes, plus extra time. We will be together soon!"

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pelé (@pele)

Kely Nascimento, Pele's daughter, also posted about the procedure:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kely Nascimento (@iamkelynascimento)

Pele was part of World Cup-winning squads in 1958, 1962 and 1970, and he still holds the Brazilian men's record for most goals with 77 across 92 appearances.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

More must-reads: