Football legend Pele's condition continuing to improve as doctors suspend kidney treatment

Pele's condition is continuing to improve and doctors have suspended kidney treatment for the football legend.

The 74-year-old remains in an intensive care unit at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, but is no longer undergoing the hemodialysis that was needed to help support his only kidney.

Describing Pele's condition, medical staff said the Brazilian "has good clinical evolution" and remains "lucid and stable" in terms of blood pressure and the respiratory system.

"The renal support treatment was suspended until Monday, when its necessity it will be re-evaluated," the hospital said.

Doctors may consider putting Pele back on hemodialysis in the next few days if his body does not respond well to the suspension of the treatment.

The three-time World Cup winner was hospitalized on Monday after being diagnosed with a urinary tract infection that stemmed from surgery to remove kidney stones on November 13.

Pele has reacted well to antibiotic treatment and showed no signs of the urinary infection.

His son, former player Edinho, was in the hospital on Saturday and expects his father to be released from hospital by the end of next week, saying he was "very upbeat."

As a player, Pele had surgery to remove a kidney after complications from a broken rib sustained during a game.

A national hero and a worldwide ambassador to the game, Pele is regarded by many as the greatest player of all time.

He is known as football's most prolific scorer with 1,281 goals in 1,363 career matches.