(Sao Paulo) Brazilian football legend Pelé was hospitalized in Sao Paulo to continue treatment for a colon tumor.
The Albert-Einstein Hospital said in a statement that Edson Arantes do Nascimento is in stable condition and is expected to be discharged in the coming days.
Pele’s personal assistant, Pepito Fornos, told The Associated Press that the 81-year-old will need to undergo chemotherapy sessions to treat the tumor discovered during a routine check-up in late August.
Pelé spent a short time in the intensive care unit after colon surgery. He is recovering at his home in Guaruja, a suburb of Sao Paulo.
Kely Nascimento, a daughter of Pelé living in the United States, posted a photo of one of her sisters and her father in the hospital. They were both smiling.
According to Nascimento, Pelé completed a medical procedure that had been scheduled for a number of months. She added that in two or three days Pelé will be returning home to enjoy Christmas.
Winner of the World Cup in 1958, 1962 and 1970, he is still Brazil’s top scorer with 77 goals in 92 games.