Pele Hospitalized After Prostate Surgery: Latest Details and Reaction

Brazilian soccer legend Pele, one of the most influential and beloved athletes of the 20th century, has been hospitalized in Sao Paulo after having surgery for a prostate condition.    

Continue for updates.

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Pele Expected to be Released on Saturday

Friday, May 8

BBC Sport reported that Pele is expected to be released on Saturday:

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Following the procedure, the Albert Einstein Hospital said the three-time World Cup winner was recuperating well.

He was treated in hospital for a urinary infection in November 2014 after having kidney stones removed.

An aide told AFP news agency on Friday that Pele could be out of hospital "within days".
Friend and advisor Jose Fornos Rodrigues said: "Everything is going well with Pele; he is resting.

"It was a very simple procedure. He will be released within a couple of days." 

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On May 7, BBC Sport reported that the legend had been hospitalized for surgery: 

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Brazil legend Pele undergoes surgery for a prostate condition after he is admitted to hospital for the second time in six months.

The 74-year-old three-time World Cup winner was treated in hospital for a urinary infection in November 2014 after having kidney stones removed.

The Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo confirmed Pele was a patient but did not elaborate on his condition.

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Pele remains one of the most dominant players in the history of soccer. Along with his three World Cup titles with Brazil, FIFA credits him with scoring 12 goals in 14 World Cup matches, a pretty remarkable scoring rate at the world's top competition. In total, he is credited with scoring 77 international goals for Brazil while also spanning a long and successful career with Brazilian club Santos. 

In 1999, the International Olympic Committee named him the athlete of the century. So revered was he that in 1967 the two sides involved in the Nigerian Civil War called a ceasefire just to watch him play in an exhibition match with Santos.