Brazil's football legend Pelé has had a tumor removed from the intestine.
“On Saturday I had an operation to remove a suspicious lesion in my right colon.
The tumor was found in the tests I mentioned last week, ”said a publication on Pelés' Instagram account on Monday (local time).
Last week, the 80-year-old was taken to a hospital in the Brazilian metropolis of São Paulo.
Serious health problems were rejected in a tweet.
He was in the hospital because of routine examinations that he hadn't been able to do beforehand because of the corona pandemic.
The comment about the removal of the tumor was also in the style of a football player.
"I'm used to celebrating great victories by your side," the text continued on Instagram.
He will approach this further game with a smile on his face, with a lot of optimism and joy in life, surrounded by the love of family and friends.
Pelé made 92 international appearances and won three world titles (1958, 1962, 1970).
Last year, his son Edinho had told the sports portal "Globoesporte" that Pelé was psychologically very depressed because of his health problems.
He has a mobility problem after a hip transplant, is ashamed of his poor physical condition and hardly wants to leave the house.
At the time, the "King of Football" also rejected reports that he was suffering from depression.
Pelé's health has been a recurring concern over the past few years.
He underwent several hip operations.
He also had problems with his spine and knee.
Two years ago he had a kidney stone removed after a urinary tract infection.
The first medical bulletin was unable to dispel the current concerns about Pelé. "The material was sent away for pathological diagnosis," said the statement from the renowned Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo late on Monday evening. Doctors spoke of a "suspicious change on the right side of the colon". The tumor was found in routine examinations. The patient is doing well, so that a transfer from the intensive care unit to a private room was assumed for Tuesday.