The Brazilian icon addressed his well-wishers after being discharged from hospital in time for the festive period.
Pele has thanked his supporters for their kind messages as he prepares to spend Christmas with his family.
The 81-year-old was discharged from Sao Paulo hospital Albert Einstein on Thursday following two weeks of chemotherapy for a colon tumor, which he underwent surgery for in September.
He is in a stable condition but will continue to undergo further chemotherapy until further notice.
Now Pele has shared a message with his legion of supporters on social media, thanking them for their well-wishes and revealing his delight in spending Christmas at home with his loved ones.
“The smiling photo is not for nothing. As I promised you, I will spend Christmas with my family. I’m coming back home. Thanks for all the kind messages,” he posted on Twitter.
A foto sorrindo não é a toa. Como eu havia lhes prometido, vou passar o Natal com a minha família. Estou voltando para casa. Obrigado por todas mensagens de carinho. pic.twitter.com/w6n3djwCiK
— Pelé (@Pele) December 23, 2021
Pele’s health problems
Pele, known as ‘O Rei’ (The King), was first diagnosed with a colon tumor at the end of August after a routine health check-up.
The three-time World Cup winner underwent surgery on September 4, spending a month in hospital before being discharged. He was later readmitted this month for more chemotherapy.
The tumor is the latest in a string of health problems that have troubled Pele, forcing the former striker’s public appearances to become increasingly rare.
He had previously been admitted to hospital in 2015 for prostate surgery and again in 2019 for a urinary infection.