One of the all-time footballing greats, Pele is hesitant to leave his home because he cannot walk on his own, his son Edinho told TV Globo. Former Brazilian forward and living legend, 79 has had issues with his hip in the recent past and now needs a frame to walk and in many of his recent public appearances used a wheelchair for movement.
“He is very sheepish, reclusive,” his son revealed talking to TV Globo.
Pele netted a world record total of 1,281 goals in 1,363 matches during his 21-year decorated career. This included 77 goals for the national Brazilian team in 91 games. Pele in recent years has been in news for his crumbling health and he had prostate surgery in 2015 after being shifted to hospital twice in six months.
“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.
“He’s pretty fragile. He had a hip replacement and didn’t have an adequate or ideal rehabilitation. So, he has this problem with mobility and that has set off a kind of depression,” Edinho explained.
This June marks the 50th anniversary of his final World Cup triumph in Mexico with a team that many see as the greatest playing eleven of all time.
