Pele: Brazil legend hospitalised again to treat colon tumour

Pele underwent surgery to remove a colon tumour in September and was in hospital for almost a month; Pele's daughter Kely Nascimento said her 81-year-old father should be discharged in the next few days after continuing his treatment and is set to be home for Christmas

Image: Pele won three World Cups with Brazil

Brazilian football great Pele has been hospitalised in Sao Paulo to continue treatment for a colon tumour.

Hospital Albert Einstein said in a statement on Wednesday that Pele is stable and should be discharged in the next few days.

Pele's daughter Kely Nascimento said, in a post on Instagram, that she expected her father to return home in time for Christmas.

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

The three-time World Cup winner underwent surgery to remove a colon tumour in September and spent nearly a month in hospital.

The hospital said at the time that he would require chemotherapy and, according to Wednesday's note from the hospital, Pele is now "continuing" his treatment.

The 81-year-old legend said on Twitter last month that he was "fine" and feeling better "every day".

Pele won the 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cups, and remains Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 matches.