PELE

Brazil bids farewell to soccer star Pele in funeral procession

Reuters reports young and old embraced as the funeral procession wound its way through the costal city's streets for hours, with some fans in tears and others cheering and drumming for a national hero who rose from barefoot poverty to become one of the greatest and best-known athletes in modern history.

"It's an irreparable loss for Brazil," said Brazil's newly sworn-in President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

"Pele, in addition to being the best soccer player in the world, was a humble, simple man."

Pele dies aged 82

He had been in and out of hospital in recent months after a tumor was found on his colon.

Pele, whose given name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, scored a world record 1,281 goals, and is the only player ever to win the World Cup three times.

With sublime skills and a winning smile, he helped make soccer the world's most popular sport and he charmed popes, presidents and Hollywood stars in a seven-decade career as player and ambassador for the sport.

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Brazil football legend 'recovering well' says daughter

The 80-year-old had surgery to remove a tumour from his colon earlier this month and was released from intensive care on Wednesday.

Sao Paulo's Albert Einstein Hospital confirmed he was readmitted "as a preventative measure".

"He is recovering well and within normal range," Kely Nascimento said.

He had been having treatment at the hospital since 31 August after the tumour was detected in routine tests.

Media outlets in Brazil had earlier reported Pele was readmitted to intensive care as a precautionary measure because of his age.

Football legend Pele reclusive and refuses to leave home

Pele, widely considered to be one of the greatest footballers in history and who will be 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.

"So 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.

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Pele wishes Neymar a happy birthday

Neymar turned 26 on Monday and Ronaldo is now 33, with the pair sharing a birthday as well as a place among the footballing elite.

And Pele was among those to pay tribute to the pair on their special day.

"It seems that people born on this date have a better chance of having magic in their feet," Pele wrote on social media.

"Happy birthday Neymar and Cristiano!"

Pele resting at home as hospital reports are denied by spokesperson

The 77-year-old was due to travel to London this weekend for a dinner held in his honour by the Football Writers Association (FWA).

Pele - the only player to win three World Cups - withdrew and the FWA said he was being monitored by doctors.

But his spokesperson called reports of his hospitalisation "fake news".

"He just didn't want to make a long and stressful trip to London, in and out of who knows how many planes and airports," said Jose Fornos Rodrigues. "That's all."

Pele has been taken to hospital for kidney and prostate problems in recent years.

Pele's son returns to prison

Edinho, a former Santos goalkeeper, handed himself in to police on Friday after a Brazilian court ordered his return to prison.

His solicitor said they would take their appeal to the Supreme Court following the latest failed attempt to quash the conviction.

"As he always did, Edson showed up when the arrest warrant was issued," Eugenio Malavasi was quoted as saying by A Tribuna.

In quotes reported by UOL, he said: "We're discussing the sentences and interposing extraordinary appeals.

Bolt: I want to be like Ali, Pele

The Jamaican sprint superstar has won gold in the 100 metres, 200m and 4x100m in each of the past three Olympics, firmly cementing his status as one of the greatest athletes in history.

Now 30 years old, Bolt is planning to step away from the sport following the World Championships in London in 2017 and his new film, 'I Am Bolt', is due to be released later this month - a behind-the-scenes documentary looking at his preparations for Rio 2016.