Pelé, considered as one of the formidable football players of all time and a legend in Brazil, has been discharged from the hospital on Tuesday, December 9, after several days fighting against a urinary tract infection.
Speaking after his release, the 74-year-old retired footballer who used to play as attacking midfielder and forward viewed his most recent health issue as a scare.
On November 13, he underwent an operation in Albert Einstein Hospital located in Sao Paulo to remove stones that already formed in his kidney. Before his operation, he collapsed during a match and complained of intense pain in his abdomen. It can be recalled that he already lost one of his kidneys before his retirement.
However, less than 2 weeks after, he was re-admitted after he developed a urinary tract infection and was forced to go through dialysis. He was then transferred to the intensive care unit.
To correct some rumors that his condition had been deteriorating, he released a video Friday before his release, showing him playing a guitar with his family around.
O Globo, a newspaper in Brazil, quoted the footballer as thanking God for helping him recover. He's also sending his thanks to everyone who left him messages, although he was both surprised and thrilled for the incredible support he got. These messages came from all around the world including Pakistan and China. Jokingly he mentioned that he's ready to play with the Brazilian team in the upcoming Olympics this 2016.
Pelé is one of the well-loved football players in history with a record of more than 1,200 in over 1,300 games. He had won three World Cups from 1958 to 1970. He played with the Brazil national team between 1957 and 1971 where he made more than 75 goals in less than 100 appearances.
Aside from being a great football player, he's also an advocate on behalf of the poor, which made Brazilians love him more.