Brazil great Pele underwent a procedure yesterday to remove kidney stones that were obstructing his urinary tract, his doctors at a Sao Paulo hospital said.

The 74-year-old was admitted to the Albert Einstein Hospital on Wednesday with abdominal pains that forced him to cancel a book signing event in Santos, where he lives.

Tests showed he was suffering from kidney and ureteral stones that were removed yesterday morning, the doctors said in a statement.

“He is clinically stable and in recovery,” they added.

Known as “the King of football” in Brazil, Pele is widely regarded as the finest player to grace the sport. He played in four World Cups and helped Brazil win the tournament three times, the last in Mexico in 1970.

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