<p>Football legend Pele has been released from hospital after undergoing successful hip replacement surgery.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The 72-year-old wept as he spoke to reporters upon leaving the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo in a wheelchair Thursday, reports Xinhua<br /><br />"I never imagined that the Brazilians would be so concerned about me," Pele said. "I want to thank everybody who sent me messages of support."<br /><br />Pele underwent the surgery last Saturday (Nov 10) after originally visiting his doctor for a <br />routine medical check to renew his health insurance.<br /><br />Dr Roberto Dantas Queiroz, who was responsible for the procedure, said the former Santos and New York Cosmos star would remain in a wheelchair during his initial recovery stage.<br />According to Queiroz, the joint's damage had largely been caused by years of wear and tear suffered during the Brazilian's playing career.<br /><br />Pele featured in three World Cup-winning teams for Brazil and scored 1281 goals in a career spanning more than two decades.</p>
<p>Football legend Pele has been released from hospital after undergoing successful hip replacement surgery.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The 72-year-old wept as he spoke to reporters upon leaving the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo in a wheelchair Thursday, reports Xinhua<br /><br />"I never imagined that the Brazilians would be so concerned about me," Pele said. "I want to thank everybody who sent me messages of support."<br /><br />Pele underwent the surgery last Saturday (Nov 10) after originally visiting his doctor for a <br />routine medical check to renew his health insurance.<br /><br />Dr Roberto Dantas Queiroz, who was responsible for the procedure, said the former Santos and New York Cosmos star would remain in a wheelchair during his initial recovery stage.<br />According to Queiroz, the joint's damage had largely been caused by years of wear and tear suffered during the Brazilian's playing career.<br /><br />Pele featured in three World Cup-winning teams for Brazil and scored 1281 goals in a career spanning more than two decades.</p>