Sao Paolo: Brazilian soccer great Pele, who is in a Sao Paulo hospital for treatment for a urinary tract infection, has been moved to a hospital wing where he won't be besieged by as many visitors, his spokesman told Reuters on Thursday.
The Albert Einstein Hospital had issued a short statement saying Pele, 74, had been moved to a special care unit after suffering "clinical instability". The hospital did not provide details.
Jose Fornos Rodrigues, the former player's personal aide, said Pele was "completely fine" and the move was primarily to protect his privacy.
"He was uncomfortable with so many people coming. It'll be quieter now," Rodrigues said by telephone.
Not in intensive care
A hospital spokeswoman declined to elaborate on Pele's condition, but said he was not in intensive care.
To dispel rumours about his health, Pele assured his nearly 2 million Twitter followers that he's doing well and that "this is nothing serious".
I was not put into intensive care today, I was simply relocated to a special room within the hospital for privacy purposes only.— Pelé (@Pele) November 27, 2014
While I appreciate all the visitors that came to see me, I really need to continue my treatment and recovery in peace.— Pelé (@Pele) November 27, 2014
I am blessed to receive your love and support, and thank God this is nothing serious.— Pelé (@Pele) November 27, 2014
Pele was discharged from the same hospital on Nov. 13 after undergoing surgery to remove kidney stones.
Pele, often called the greatest soccer player in history, has suffered a long list of health problems in the past decade, including emergency eye surgery for a detached retina and a hip replacement.
