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BRAZIL legend Pele, is improving but remains in intensive care having been admitted to hospital with a urinary infection earlier this week. It follows a tweet from his account on Thursday that said the three-time World Cup winner was “doing fine” in Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein Hospital. The 74-year-old’s personal assistant Jose Fornos also played down the news.

But the hospital said Pele “continues under temporary kidney support, lucid and with no need of breathing support”.

The statement added: “Pele is improving his clinical condition and remains in the intensive care unit.”

Initially on Thursday, the hospital said that Pele had been admitted with “clinical instability”.

But later that day, Pele tweeted: “I was simply relocated to a special room within the hospital for privacy purposes only.

“While I appreciate all the visitors that came to see me, I really need to continue my treatment and recovery in peace.

“I am looking forward to spending the upcoming holidays with my family and will start the new year with renewed health, with many international trips already planned! Thank you!”

A World Cup winner in 1958, 1962 and 1970, Pele was initially discharged from hospital on November 13 after surgery to remove kidney stones.

Local media said it was possible he picked up an infection during the procedure and that the current treatment was usually straightforward.

Widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, Pele scored a world record total of 1,281 goals in 1,363 games during his 21-year career.

He was also named Fifa’s Player of the Century and won 91 caps for Brazil, scoring 77 goals.

He made 14 appearances at World Cup finals, scoring 12 goals, and was awarded the Fifa Golden Ball as the best player at the 1970 tournament. — BBC Sport