Pele 'struggling to eat and sleep' as football legend kept in hospital for cancer treatment

Pele is being kept in hospital in Brazil for a urinary tract infection. He's also continuing to be treated for a tumour on his colon.

The 81-year-old Brazilian football legend was brought in for treatment on his tumour earlier this month, but doctors decided to keep him in due to the urinary infection.

Pele's condition is still stable, but it's said he is "struggling to eat or sleep".

Following an endoscopy last week, a procedure used to look inside the body, the three-time World Cup winner was left weakened.

"Edson Arantes do Nascimento [Pele] was admitted to Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein on the 13th to continue the treatment of the colon tumor, identified in September 2021," a medical report obtained by ESPN said.

"During his stay, routine exams were performed, which indicated the presence of a urinary infection, a fact which extended the patient's stay in the hospital.

"His clinical conditions are stable, and hospital discharge should take place in the next few days."

Pele currently has three tumours - one in his intestine, liver and lung.

Although the hero of the 1970 World Cup is expected to be released from hospital in the next few days, no date has been set.

Football fans the world over were concerned for Pele's condition in December when he suffered a significant health scare.

Pele, who was former sports minister of Brazil, managed to celebrate Christmas with family.