Pele released from hospital following month-long stay

Brazilian great had been receiving treatment in Sao Paulo

Brazilian soccer legend Pele tosses a ball with physical therapist Kamila in Sao Paulo, Brazil in this still image obtained via undated social media video released on Pele's Instagram page September 28, 2021. INSTAGRAM @PELE /via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. MUST COURTESY INSTAGRAM @PELE

Pele has been released from hospital in Sao Paulo following surgery. Instagram @PELE / Reuters

Pele during his stay at the hospital in Sao Paulo. Instagram @PELE / Reuters

Pele tosses a ball with physical therapist in Sao Paulo. Instagram @PELE / Reuters

Pele has been released from hospital after a month-long stay. Instagram @PELE / Reuters

Pele said he is feeling better after his stay in hospital. Instagram @PELE / Reuters

Pele exercises in a hospital in Sao Paulo. Instagram @PELE / Reuters

(FILES) In this file photo taken on June 16, 2016 Brazilian retired footballer Edson Arantes do Nascimento, know as Pele, shakes hands with a supporter as he leaves after being decorated with an Olympic Order Medal at the Pele Museum in Santos, Sao Paulo, Brazil. - Brazilian football legend Pele was released from a month-long hospital stay on September 30, 2021 after having surgery for a colon tumor, but will continue undergoing chemotherapy, his medical team said. (Photo by Miguel Schincariol / AFP)

Brazilian football great Pele was on Thursday released after a month-long stay in hospital following surgery for a colon tumour, his medical team said.

Pele, 80, had been receiving treatment at Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo since August 31, after a suspected tumour was detected during routine tests.

Pele, who underwent surgery on September 4, is in stable condition, doctors said.

“I am so happy to be back at home,” Pele wrote in a post on Instagram. “I want to thank the entire Albert Einstein Hospital team, who made my stay a pleasant one, with a humane and very affectionate welcome.”

"When the road is hard, celebrate every step of the journey. Focus on your happiness. It's true that I can't jump anymore, but these past few days, I've been punching the air more often than usual," he wrote.

In recent days, Pele posted several pictures and videos on social media showing his recovery in the hospital. The all-time great won the 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cups, and remains Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 matches.