Story highlights
- Hospital says Pele's condition improved with move to ICU
- Brazil soccer legend has had complications since surgery to remove kidney stones
- The 74-year-old then suffered a urinary tract infection
- Pele is one of the most globally recognized faces and names in sports
Brazilian football legend Pele's condition has improved, according to a Thursday evening statement from a Sao Paulo hospital.
There had been earlier concerns about Pele's health after Albert Einstein Hospital issued a release that said his condition was "unstable."
Thursday night's release said Pele was relocated to the intensive care unit because a kidney dialysis machine he needed was in ICU.
Photos: Pele: Football legend
Photos: Pele: Football legend
Pele: The greatest – Ask many Brazilians who is the greatest footballer of all time and their answer will be simple: "Pele." The striker, pictured here in 2014, won three World Cups with Brazil between 1958 and 1970.
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Photos: Pele: Football legend
Record-breaker – Pele is his country's leading goalscorer with 77 goals from 92 caps.
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Photos: Pele: Football legend
Classic game – The Brazil team of 1970, which beat Italy 4-1 in the World Cup final in Mexico, is widely regarded as the greatest of all time. Pele is seen here leaping on his teammates.
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Photos: Pele: Football legend
Teen dream – Pele told CNN that one of his most memorable moments as a player was winning the 1958 World Cup when he was just 17.
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Photos: Pele: Football legend
Injury blow – Brazil also won the title in 1962 in Chile, but Pele did not play in the final after being injured in Brazil's second game.
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Photos: Pele: Football legend
Revenge mission? – Ahead of the World Cup in 2014, Pele told CNN that his ideal final would feature Brazil and Uruguay -- so his country could win revenge for 1950's heartbreaking Maracana defeat in the deciding match between the two South American teams. But Brazil crashed out after being beaten by eventual winners Germany 7-1 in the semifinal.
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Photos: Pele: Football legend
Rio ready – Aerial view of the Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Hill, overlooking the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The famous arena hosted the 2014 World Cup final in July, 2014.
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2013: Football Legend Pele Speaks to CNN 02:21
Pele: Germany, Netherlands two best teams 03:45
"He is now temporarily on renal support without any additional support," the statement said.
The 74-year-old's representative and Pele's Twitter account dispute that the great is in ICU, saying he had been moved to a "special care" room with greater privacy.
"I want to take this opportunity to let you know that I am doing fine," his Twitter feed stated.
Pele was admitted to the medical facility earlier this week with a urinary tract infection. He recently underwent surgery to remove kidney stones at the same institution.
Pele is considered one of the greats of world soccer, winning three World Cups for Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
The Brazilian is also one of the most globally recognized faces in sports.
