Pele to leave hospital after 12 days in intensive care after tumour surgery

Footballing legend Pele is set to leave hospital as he continues his recovery from surgery to remove a colon tumour.

The 80-year-old will end a 12-day stay at an intensive care unit at Sao Paulo's Albert Einstein Hospital after being readmitted due to acid reflux issues.

Pele, who won three World Cups with Brazil and is considered one of the sport's greatest ever players, will now continue his rehabilitation at his home and turns 81 on October 23.

On Monday, the former Santos and New York Cosmos star posted a video of him throwing a ball in hospital in a show of health and seemed in good spirits on the ward.

His, Kely Nascimento who lives in the United States, wrote on Instagram : "Bye bye Brazil. I loved including my Father's recovery on my social media. It wasn't planned, it was a decision we made at the hospital to try to have a little fun with you guys.

Pele's daughter has been keeping fans updated with her father's condition ( Image:

iamkelynascimento/Instagram)

"Now that he's stronger and leaving the hospital to continue recovering and treating himself at home, I'm going back home and my posts will go back to being posts about my work, my city, food, drink, my kids, dogs and chickens!!

"I thank you again, from the bottom of my heart and my father's three hearts, for all the affection and love we received from you this month!"

Pele has had number health issues in recent years and had the operation on September 4 after abnormalities were discovered during a routine medical appointment.

In 2012, the Brazilian suffered a failed hip replacement, now uses walkers and wheelchairs in public to assist him.

Pele has been admitted to hospital multiple times in recent years ( Image:

AFP/Getty Images)

Kidney and prostrate procedures have also seen him return to hospital.

In his footballing heyday, the forward helped Brazil conquer international football from 1958 to 1970, winning each World Cup in that period barring England's triumph in 1966.

His nation's all-time top goalscorer with 77 goals for the Selecao, Pele is the only player to ever be crowned a world champion three times.

Pele recently congratulated Lionel Messi on for overtaking him as South America's top goalscorer in international football.

Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Bolivia earlier this month World Cup qualifying match.

The 34-year-old has now scored 79 times in 153 appearances for the Albiceleste.

Pele posted on his own Instagram account: "Hi @leomessi. Sorry if I'm late. However, I didn't want to pass up the chance to congratulate you for another record broken earlier this month.

"Your talent when playing soccer is outstanding! I hope you achieve even more, alongside my friends @k.mbappe and @neymarjr [at Paris Saint-German, who Messi signed for this summer]."