Renown Brazilian legend and one of the greatest players of all time, Pele is said to be depressed and reclusive due to poor health and inability to walk unaided.
This was revealed by his son in an interview with Brazil’s Globo Esporte. Pele’s son Edinho says his father who has won three World Cups during an illustrious career is now reluctant to even leave the house following complications with his recovery from hip surgery.
“He is quite fragile,” said Edinho. “He underwent a hip replacement and did not have adequate, ideal rehabilitation. So he has this mobility problem, which has caused a kind of depression.”
“Imagine, he’s the king, he was always such an imposing figure, and today he can no longer walk properly. Only with help. He is very shy, very embarrassed about it.
“It improved a little compared to that recent time when he was in a wheelchair, but he still has a lot of difficulty walking.
“He’s embarrassed, he doesn’t want to go out, be seen, or do practically anything that involves leaving the house. He is reclusive.”
The 79-year-old former striker will turn 80 in October, and requires a frame to help him walk after suffering from years of hip trouble.
Many of his recent public appearances have been in a wheelchair and his son says this makes him feel embarrassed.
Pele appeared in a wheelchair at the 2018 World Cup draw in Moscow, with it also reported that he had collapsed from exhaustion a month later.
Pele remains Brazil’s leading goalscorer with 77 goals and is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time.
