Pele puts fists up and insists he is ready to fight after latest hospital scare

World Cup icon Pele has offered an update over his health following a hospital scare by asking his 8.3million Instagram followers if he looks handsome.

The 81-year-old, who is arguably the greatest goalscorer in football history, was hospitalised back in December for 17 days worth of treatment on a colon tumour.

Pele, who hadn't shared any photos or videos of himself for a month on his active account, has now posted an update in which he looks happy and healthy.

He wrote: "My friends, I know that there are people looking for news about me. So I send it here."

Adding: "Today I took the day to take care of my look! Since the beginning of the pandemic, my wife has been my favourite hairdresser. They're saying out there that I'm not well.

"Don't you think I'm handsome?"

Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pele has been married to Marcia Aoki since 2016, a businesswoman and entrepreneur from his native Brazil.

Pele's most recent trip to the hospital came after he was discharged from the initial surgery on his colon back in October, after which he posted an emotional update.

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He said: "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. I’m very happy to be back at my house."

"I want to thank all the staff at Albert Einstein Hospital, who made my stay pleasant … Thank you also to all of you who by far make my life complete with so many messages of love."

Pele played professionally for Santos between 1956 and 1974, scoring 643 goals across 659 matches and winning six Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A titles during that period.

For Brazil, Pele won the World Cup in 1958, 1962 and again in 1970, scoring 66 times across 107 international outings between 1957 and 1971.

Pele called time on his playing career in 1977 after two seasons with the New York Cosmos, and has gone on to charity and ambassadorial work as well as media appearances.

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