PELE is feeling sheepish and embarrassed because he cannot walk unaided, his son revealed.
The Brazilian legend, 79, was hospitalised after attending an event with Kylian Mbappe in Paris last year.
Pele feels embarrassed to leave the home as he needs support to walk, his son Edinho revealedCredit: AFP – Getty
He received treatment for a urinary infection before flying back to his homeland in what the latest health scare for the former forward.
In 2014, he was placed in intensive care following a urinary tract infection following surgery to remove kidney stones and the following year he had prostate surgery.
He was also forced to withdraw from the opening of the 2016 Rio Olympics over his health and collapsed through exhaustion in 2017 ahead of the Football Writers’ Association dinner in London.
Three-time World Cup-winner Pele needs a frame to walk as he continues to struggle with a replaced hip.
He needs a frame to support him when walking and has used a wheelchair for the majority of his recent public appearances.
‘SHEEPISH, RECLUSIVE’
Pele’s son Edinho told Globo Esporte: “He is very sheepish, reclusive.
“Imagine, he’s the King, he was always such an imposing figure and today he can’t walk properly.
“He’s embarrassed, he doesn’t want to go out, be seen, or do practically anything that involves leaving the house.
“He’s pretty fragile. He had a hip replacement and didn’t have an adequate or ideal rehabilitation.
“So he has this problem with mobility and that has set off a kind of depression.”
Pele’s stunning tally of 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances – including 77 in 91 for Brazil – across his career that spanned 21 years is a world record haul.
He burst on to the world stage at the 1958 World Cup aged 17, becoming the youngest goalscorer, youngest player to bag a hat-trick and the youngest player to appear, score and win the final in the tournament’s history.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Pele and his Selecao team-mates winning his third World Cup with arguably the greatest side in history.
The Brazilian legend is considered the greatest footballer of all time by many and won three World Cups in his record-breaking careerCredit: Popperfoto – Getty
Brazilian football legend Pele reveals his shock at World Cup selection aged just 17
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
