Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Pele sends video message to fans from hospital: 'Everybody worries about my health but I'm OK'

The legendary Brazilian striker thanked his well-wishers from his hospital room in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Kiran Moodley
Monday 08 December 2014 11:18 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Pele has thanked his fans and well-wishers around the world in a video message from Sao Paulo, Brazil, having spent the last few weeks hospitalised following routine surgery.

The three-time World Cup winner had surgery to remove kidney stones on 13 November, yet he returned to hospital 11 days later after being diagnosed with a urinary tract infection stemming from the operation.

There was cause for concern for Pele's condition when the 74-year-old was transferred to a "special care" unit at the Albert Einstein hospital. The hospital said he was moved from that unit on Saturday.

Pele released a video message on Friday where he reassured his fans about his health, as well as playing the guitar and conversing in both Portuguese and English.

He begins by strumming a guitar while the words "Obrigado" (Thank You) are show on the screen.

He then says, in Portuguese, "I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you from all around the world, who were worried about my health. Thank God I'm fine, recovered.

"I'm here with my family. I know that there were people from everywhere worried about me, but I want to talk even a little bit in English.

"Don't worry, thank you very much. I know everybody worries about my health but I am okay, okay?

"I invite you one more time to come to Brazil, enjoy the Olympic games, we are going to participate in the games together as a proof of my health. Thanks God and thanks everyone who always pray for me."

Doctors said on Friday that Pele showed no more signs of the infection he was admitted for.

Pele won the World Cup with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970 and scored 1,281 goals in 1,363 career matches.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in