Soccer legend Pelé undergoes back surgery in latest health scare

July 27, 2015 A close aide to Brazilian soccer legend Pelé has revealed that the soccer great has undergone back surgery, the latest in a series of recent health problems afflicting the 74-year-old so.

Pelé, given name Edson Arantes do Nascimento, was at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in São Paulo where he underwent a procedure to decompress a nerve root in his spine, his personal assistant José Fornos Rodrigues said. He did not give further details.

It is the third time Pelé has been hospitalized since November 2014. He spent two weeks at the Einstein facility with kidney problems, and in May underwent prostate surgery in the same hospital.

Pele is considered by many to be the greatest soccer player of all-time, with more than 1,280 career goals and an unequaled three World Cup titles during his career as a player.