Pelé Is Depressed, Reclusive Due to Health Issues, Says Son

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – (Reuters) Pelé, widely considered to be one of the greatest footballers in history and who will turn 80 in October, has had hip trouble for years and now needs a frame to walk. Many of his recent public appearances have been in a wheelchair.

“He’s pretty fragile. He had a hip replacement and didn’t have an adequate or ideal rehabilitation,” Edinho told TV Globo.

“He has this problem with mobility and that has set off a kind of depression. 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,” his son added. “He is very sheepish, reclusive.”

Edinho said he had argued with his father because he had not done the physiotherapy called for after a hip operation.

Pele, the only player to win three World Cups, spent almost all his career with Brazilian team Santos before moving to join New York Cosmos in the early 1970s.

This summer will mark the 50th anniversary of the striker’s third World Cup title, won in Mexico in 1970 by Brazil, which fielded what many people believe is the greatest soccer team of all time.

Source: Reuters