Tuesday, 2 December 2014

Soccer legend Pele in intensive care






Ask many Brazilians who is the greatest footballer of all time and their answer will be simple: "Pele." The striker, pictured here in 2014, won three World Cups with Brazil between 1958 and 1970.Ask many Brazilians who is the greatest footballer of all time and their answer will be simple: "Pele." The striker, pictured here in 2014, won three World Cups with Brazil between 1958 and 1970.

Pele is his country's leading goalscorer with 77 goals from 92 caps.Pele is his country's leading goalscorer with 77 goals from 92 caps.

The Brazil team of 1970, which beat Italy 4-1 in the World Cup final in Mexico, is widely regarded as the greatest of all time. Pele is seen here leaping on his teammates.The Brazil team of 1970, which beat Italy 4-1 in the World Cup final in Mexico, is widely regarded as the greatest of all time. Pele is seen here leaping on his teammates.

Pele told CNN that his most memorable moment as a player was winning the 1958 World Cup when he was just 17. Pele told CNN that his most memorable moment as a player was winning the 1958 World Cup when he was just 17.


Brazil also won the title in 1962 in Chile, but Pele did not play in the final after being injured in Brazil's second game.

Brazil also won the title in 1962 in Chile, but Pele did not play in the final after being injured in Brazil's second game.

Ahead of the World Cup earlier this year, Pele told CNN that his ideal final for 2014 would feature Brazil and Uruguay -- so his country can win revenge for 1950's heartbreaking Maracana defeat in the deciding match between the two South American teams. But Brazil crashed out after being beaten by eventual winners Germany 7-1 in the semifinal.Ahead of the World Cup earlier this year, Pele told CNN that his ideal final for 2014 would feature Brazil and Uruguay -- so his country can win revenge for 1950's heartbreaking Maracana defeat in the deciding match between the two South American teams. But Brazil crashed out after being beaten by eventual winners Germany 7-1 in the semifinal.

Aerial view of the Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Hill, overlooking the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The famous arena hosted the 2014 World Cup final in July.Aerial view of the Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Hill, overlooking the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The famous arena hosted the 2014 World Cup final in July.









  • Pele was admitted to the hospital last week with a urinary tract infection

  • Doctors are planning tests to analyze the need for possible renal support

  • Pele is a three-time World Cup champion and shared Player of the Century award




(CNN) -- Soccer legend Pele remained in an intensive care unit Monday, a week after he was hospitalized with a urinary tract infection.


The 74-year-old has no fever and is receiving antibiotics intravenously, according to doctors at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil.





Pelé's condition improving in hospital




2013: Football Legend Pele Speaks to CNN

They are planning tests on Tuesday to analyze the need for possible renal support.


Pele, who was born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, was admitted to the hospital November 24. He had recently undergone surgery at the same facility to remove kidney stones.


The athletic icon had one kidney removed during his days as a player, said his aide, Jose Fornos Rodrigues.


Known as "The Black Pearl" and "The King," Pele is one of the best known names in all of sports.


He burst onto the scene as a teenager, helping lead his native Brazil to the 1958 World Cup championship.


Pele went on to star on two other World Cup title teams, in 1962 and 1970. He also had a breakthrough career with the Brazilian club Santos and later with the New York Cosmos of the now-defunct North American Soccer League.


In 2000, Pele and Argentina's Diego Maradona were named co-Players of the Century by FIFA, the international soccer governing body.


Since retiring from soccer, Pele has remained in the public eye as a product pitchman, ambassador for the sport of soccer and advocate for Brazil's poor, having grown up as one of them in the inland city of Tres Coracoes.


CNN's Shasta Darlington and Holly Yan contributed to this report.



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