Pele has been taken out of intensive care as his condition continues to improve, a Brazilian hospital said.

The Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo said the 74-year-old is under "semi-intensive" care.

He remains in the room he was transferred to five days ago for kidney support treatment, and there is no need to monitor his condition as closely as before.

The hospital said the football superstar remains off the haemodialysis treatment that was needed to support his only kidney, although another evaluation will be carried out tomorrow.

The three-time World Cup winner was taken to hospital on November 24 after being diagnosed with a urinary tract infection that stemmed from a November 13 operation to remove kidney stones.

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