Pele to be back home soon

Brazilian football legend Pele has been hospitalised for treatment of a previously identified colon tumour, his doctors said Wednesday, the latest health issue for the 81-year-old icon.

The three-time world champion was admitted to Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo "for follow-up treatment of the colon tumour identified in September this year," his medical team said in a statement. "The patient is stable, and is expected to be released in the coming days." It did not say when Pele was hospitalised.

Pele underwent surgery for the tumour on September 4, spending a month in the hospital before being released to continue chemotherapy.

The star's public relations agency described the latest hospital stay as routine. "He went in for chemo. He always has to go to the hospital for the treatment," it said in a note. "Papi is Great," said Pele's daughter Flavia Kurtz under a photo of him at the hospital after the procedure she posted to Instagram just after 7:00 pm. Her sister Kely Nascimento, who has provided fans with updates on her father's condition, posted the same photo to Instagram.

"This was not a surprise. It was already scheduled and is part of the treatment," she said in the caption. "In two or three days he will be back home to enjoy Christmas."

Considered by many the greatest footballer of all time, Pele has been in poor health in recent years, and has spent a number of stints in the hospital.