SAO PAULO Brazilian soccer legend Pelé has undergone back surgery, a close aide told Reuters on Saturday, the latest in a series of recent health problems afflicting the 74-year-old former player.
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“(We) inform that Edson Arantes do Nascimento was discharged today. She said she was not allowed to say when he was hospitalized or why.
According to GloboNews news channel, Pelé is expected to leave the hospital on Monday. The operation was “preprogrammed”.
The surgery had been scheduled to fix discomfort in Pele’s back and hip.
In May, the global sporting icon was hospitalised for four days and had surgery for an enlarged prostate.
Pele played in 14 games at World Cup finals, scoring 12 goals, and was awarded the Federation Internationale de Football Association Golden Ball as the best player at the 1970 tournament.
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Born on October 23, 1940, Pele won his first World Cup in Sweden in 1958 and was also part of the Brazil sides that triumphed in 1962 and 1970.
