Brazil legend Pele, 81, is staying in hospital 'for a few days' to undergo tests on colon tumour

Brazil great Pele has revealed he will remain in a hospital in Sao Paulo 'for a few days' to undergo new exams on his colon tumour.

The 81-year-old Edson Arantes do Nascimento was brought to the Albert Einstein hospital this week for chemotherapy sessions to treat the tumour found during routine exams at the end of August. Pele was hospitalised for almost one month due to the surgery to remove it.

Pele said on Instagram he has been 'having small chemotherapy sessions as part of my treatment.' He added he had just finished the last session of 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 a picture showing him in a hospital gown and a clenched right fist.

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

Pele won the 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cups and remains Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 matches.

Kely Nascimento, eldest daughter of the three-time World Cup winner, gave fans an update on his health Wednesday - posting a picture of him smiling after what she called a scheduled operation, saying he will return home 'in two or three days'.

She wrote: 'My sister Flavia Kurtz is giving him a hug for me! In two or three days he returns home to enjoy Christmas.

'This was not a surprise. It was already scheduled and is part of the treatment. All my gratitude, always.'

Pele, often held up as the greatest to have played the game and still Brazil's all-time record goal-scorer, was first diagnosed with cancer back in August.

Doctors discovered the tumour in his right colon during a routine check-up.

He underwent emergency surgery in September, and spent a month recovering in hospital including a short stay on an intensive care ward.

He was released from hospital in October, and returned home to continue his recovery. Medical staff said at the time that he would undergo chemotherapy.

Pele has suffered a series of health issues over the last decade, particularly with his hip, and he cannot walk unaided.

His public appearances were already being cut before the COVID-19 pandemic and since then he has made few unnecessary forays outside his house near Santos.

His son Edinho said last year his father was depressed, something Pele later denied.