A beaming Pele was discharged from a Sao Paulo clinic on Tuesday, joking about plans to play in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics after recovering from a kidney complaint that left him in intensive care.
The Brazilian legend’s health had left the soccer-mad nation on tenterhooks since his admission to the clinic about two weeks ago, but the 74-year-old icon of Brazilian soccer’s golden age assured his compatriots that while he had given a fright, he had always been confident of recovering.
“I wasn’t afraid of dying as I am a man with three hearts,” the three-time FIFA World Cup-winner joked, alluding to his birthplace, Tres Coracoes, which means “three hearts” in Portuguese.
Grinning broadly despite walking somewhat gingerly and having clearly lost some weight, Pele told reporters he felt fit enough to play for Brazil at Rio 2016.
“I am preparing for the Olympics. Three professionals can play in the Olympics, I’m one of the three!” he said.
Thanking his medical team, Pele, who last month underwent kidney stone treatment at the same clinic before returning 10 days later after complaining of abdominal pain, admitted he had had a “fright” when he was briefly placed in intensive care.
“It was a real fright. We were at the Pele museum in Santos when I caught an infection and couldn’t attend an autograph signing session, but thank God I am well, I’m better now,” he said, thanking his many well-wishers from around the world.
“I was very touched to receive messages from China, Pakistan, countries across Europe. I didn’t know so many people were keeping abreast of my situation,” Pele said.
“And of course I especially thank Brazilians for always supporting me. It’s good to know that as well as God’s help, I have the support of so many people around the world,” he told a news conference at the Albert Einstein Hospital.
The star was hospitalized on Nov. 24 with a suspected urinary tract infection requiring antibiotics. Pele’s doctor, Fabio Nasri, indicated that he “will now undergo a period of rehabilitation and have to take things easily for 10 days. Then there will be physiotherapy before he undergoes fresh tests.”
Addressing Tuesday’s conference with girlfriend Marcia Aoki at his side, the star, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on Oct. 23, 1940, said thoughts of soccer and music had kept his spirits up.
“I wrote a few lyrics — one is a secret for the Olympics,” said Pele, who on leaving intensive care last week was quick to request his guitar be brought to his room.
Pele was named athlete of the 20th century by the International Olympic Committee in 1999 and helped Brazil to world titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
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