‘They invented that I was depressed’: Pele DENIES claims he is struggling to come to terms with lack of mobility after Brazil legend’s son claimed his father was ’embarrassed’ to leave home following hip operation
- Pele has again denied reports he is depressed because of his mobility problems
- His son claimed last month the Brazil legend was embarrassed to leave his home
- But the Brazilian has insisted those close to him ‘invented that I was depressed’
- This summer will mark the 50th anniversary of his third World Cup triumph
Pele has once again denied claims that he is struggling to come to terms with his mobility problems after undergoing a hip operation.
The former Brazil striker’s son Edinho told TV Globo last month that his father was ’embarrassed’ to leave home due to his hip issues, which causes ‘a certain depression‘.
But Pele, widely considered one of the best footballers to ever play the game, has insisted those close to him ‘invented that I was depressed’ and that, in reality, he is ‘fine’.
Pele has denied claims he is depressed as he come to terms with his lack of mobility
Pele, pictured during the 1966 World Cup, was said to be struggling after a hip operation
‘This depression thing, I don’t know if they got it wrong because in the last two years I had a bruise, a femur operation and then, when I started training or making a commercial, I had to stop,’ he told CNN.
‘They started to worry and I really appreciate it, but then they invented that I was depressed. I got here with a walker but, thank God, I only can’t ride a bike.
‘Even some of the times when I was hurt, bruised, I did not fail to give an interview and I said that I was sad because I had been injured.
‘That is exactly what I am going to talk about now: I would rather have arrived here without a walker, doing a little training, playing ball. But I’m recovering and, thank God, after everything I’ve done in sports, I’m fine. Thank goodness I’m recovering.’
The Brazil legend has suffered from hip trouble but said people ‘invented that I was depressed’
Pele has suffered from hip trouble for a number of years and now needs a frame to walk. Many of his recent public appearances have been in a wheelchair.
‘He’s pretty fragile. He had a hip replacement and didn’t have an adequate or ideal rehabilitation,’ Edinho said last month.
‘So he has this problem with mobility and that has set off a kind of depression. Imagine, he’s the King, he was always such an imposing figure and today he can’t walk properly.
‘He’s embarrassed, he doesn’t want to go out, be seen, or do practically anything that involves leaving the house. He is very sheepish, reclusive.’
His son Edinho (right, in 1977) told TV Globo last month that his father was ’embarrassed’
Pele won the World Cup three times – in 1958, 1962 and 1970
This summer will mark the 50th anniversary of his third World Cup triumph in Mexico
Pele, who will be 80 in October, is a three-time World Cup winner and widely considered to be one of the greatest players ever.
He has been dogged by hip trouble and often uses a wheelchair when making public appearances.
Pele had prostate surgery in 2015 and was admitted to hospital with a urinary infection last year.
This summer will mark the 50th anniversary of his third World Cup triumph in Mexico when Brazil beat Italy in the final.