Brazil football icon Pele to leave hospital soon, aide says

Pele hospitalised with stomach ailment 

 

File: Pele was named joint best player of the 20th century by Fifa. (Getty) 

Brazilian soccer legend Pele is doing "fine" and will be discharged from a Sao Paulo hospital early on Thursday after he was admitted for stomach pains, one of his aides told Reuters.

The 74-year-old soccer great had to cancel a book-signing at a museum named for him in his native city of Santos after complaining about his stomach on Wednesday.

"He made some tests and will be discharged tomorrow. Everything is fine," Jose Fornos Rodrigues, the former player's personal aide, said.

A spokesman for the hospital told Reuters that Pele was admitted Wednesday evening but did not say when he would be allowed to leave the facility.

Pele, widely regarded as the best footballer of all time, helped Brazil win the World Cup three times.

He was named 'Football Player of the Century' by the world soccer body Fifa, 'Athlete of the Century' by the International Olympic Committee and a 'national treasure' by Brazil's government. 

Earlier report: Brazilian legend Pele was taken to hospital Wednesday with a stomach ailment, missing an event at the museum honoring his career in the southeastern city of Santos, a close friend said.

The 74-year-old was hospitalised at Sao Paulo's Albert Einstein facility as a precaution, said Jose Fornos Rodrigues, a friend and aide of the footballer for four decades.

"He had an upset stomach and was taken to the hospital for tests. But he is calm, and feeling OK," the friend added, noting: "They have not said yet when he will be able to leave."

Santos prefecture indicated Pele had been unable to attend a book launch "for health reasons" and that the event would be rescheduled.