Football legend Pelé ‘in intensive care’

BRAZIL football legend Pelé is in intensive care in a Sao Paulo hospital, according to reports.

Football legend Pelé is believed to be in intensive care at the Sao Paulo hospital. Picture: AP

Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento in Tres Coracoes, was admitted to the hospital’s Albert Einstein clinic on Monday, with an infection of the urinary tract.

The 74-year-old, who scored 77 goals in 91 appearances for Brazil between 1957 and 1971, had been treated for kidney stones at the same clinic earlier this month.

On Wednesday, the facility issued a statement reading : “The patient Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pelé) remains hospitalised and is receiving intravenous antibiotic therapy - his condition is stable for the moment.”

However, it is believed his condition is worsening.

He was last taken to hospital on November 13 with stomach cramps, and was forced to cancel an appearance at a museum.

His personal aide told reporters at the time that some tests had been carried out and ‘everything is fine’.

He helped Brazil to three World Cup wins during his career, was named Football Player of the Century by FIFA, and given the title of Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

He attended the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics as part of the handover team for the next host city, Rio de Janeiro.