The 74-year-old was suffering from a trapped nerve and has had surgery to relieve pain in his back and hip at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo.

Pele, a three-time World Cup winner, was treated for a urinary infection eight months ago after having kidney stones removed.

In May, he under went surgery for a prostate condition.

Pele played in 14 games at World Cup finals, scoring 12 goals, and was awarded the FIFA Golden Ball as the best player at the 1970 tournament.

source: bbc