Pele returns to hospital after 'struggling to eat or sleep' due to infection

Pele has been in hospital since early February due to a urinary tract infection while receiving chemotherapy for a tumour on his colon.

The Brazilian football legend was admitted into hospital on February 13 for a simple treatment session on his colon but was kept in after doctors discovered the infection.

Though his current condition is thought to be stable, he is reportedly struggling to eat properly or sleep and is already weakened after his recent endoscopy.

The endoscopy is a medical procedure deployed by doctors to allow them to see inside a patients body and determine the root cause of an issue.

A medical report obtained by ESPN revealed: "Edson Arantes do Nascimento [Pele] was admitted to Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein on the 13th to continue the treatment of the colon tumour, identified in September 2021.

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"During his stay, routine exams were performed, which indicated the presence of a urinary infection, a fact which extended the patient's stay in the hospital.

"His clinical conditions are stable, and hospital discharge should take place in the next few days."

Pele's health condition has drastically deteriorated in recent years after the World Cup winner was diagnosed with three tumours on his intestine, liver and lung which all required serious medical attention.

While he is expected to be discharged from his latest hospital stay within the next few days, there is no confirmed date for his release as of yet.

The 81-year-old was hospitalised at the start of December after the most recent tumour was discovered during a routine check-up.

Pele has often kept fans in the loop with how he is responding to treatment and updated fans with a lengthy Instagram post following his final round of chemotherapy for 2021.

"I wanted to share this achievement with you. After all, every little victory is a reason to celebrate, don't you think?' he wrote, with an accompanying picture of him looking delighted with his progress.

"Don't worry, I'm just getting ready for the holiday season!"

Pele spent Christmas with his family and enjoyed just over a month out of hospital before his eventual return.

The three-time World Cup winner is still heralded as the greatest footballer in his country's history after his trio of triumphs in 1958, 1962 and 1970 respectively.

He remains the record goal-scorer for the Brazilian national team to date with a stunning 77 goals in 92 games for the Selecao over the course of his 14-year international career.

Friends, family and fans have long been concerned with Pele's health status, with the former Santos striker spending a lot of time in hospital throughout the last six years.