Brazilian football icon Pele has been discharged from hospital in Sao Paulo after undergoing chemotherapy for a colon tumour that was detected, though he will continue to receive treatment.
The 81-year-old was hospitalised at the start of this month, residing in the Hospital Albert Einstein for most of December after the tumour was discovered during a routine check-up back in September.
The three-time World Cup winner then underwent surgery to remove the tumour, spending nearly the entirety of September in hospital as well.
"The patient remains stable and will continue having treatment on the colon tumor that was identified in September," read a statement from Hospital Albert Einstein.
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He has finally been allowed to return home just before the Christmas period, in what is welcome news for the former Santos star and his swathes of adoring fans.
Pele has often kept his social media followers updated with his condition, taking to twitter in November to explain that he was 'fine' and 'feeling better every day'.
On Instagram, the former goal-machine explained how he was 'having small chemotherapy sessions', posted after his final treatment 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 an accompanying picture of him looking delighted with his progress.
"Don't worry, I'm just getting ready for the holiday season!"
Upon his return to hospital earlier this month, fears grew from concerned football fans but it was revealed how Pele would be released within a matter of a 'few days'.
After his re-admittance in early December, Pele's eldest daughter Kely Nascimento also updated fans with an Instagram post of her own.
"My sister Flavia Kurtz is giving him a hug for me! In two or three days he returns home to enjoy Christmas," she wrote.
"This was not a surprise. It was already scheduled and is part of the treatment. All my gratitude, always."
Friends, family and fans have long been concerned with Pele's health status, the Brazilian legend in and out of hospital over the course of the last six years.
After being admitted to hospital twice in two months in 2015, Pele underwent prostate surgery, before returning in 2019 due to a urinary infection.
Decades after he last kicked a ball professionally, Pele is still widely regarded as the greatest Brazilian footballer of all-time.
Having first won the world cup in 1958 while still a teenager, Pele went on to win a further two in 1962 and 1970 en route to becoming the national team's record goal-scorer with 77 goals in 92 appearances for the Seleção.
