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Pele discharged from hospital

Sao Paulo - Brazilian soccer legend Pele was discharged from a Sao Paulo hospital on Saturday after doctors removed kidney stones that had been obstructing his urinary tract, the hospital said in a statement.

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 on Thursday morning.

Known as "the King of soccer" in Brazil, Pele is widely regarded as the finest player to grace the sport. He was named "Football Player of the Century" by the world soccer body FIFA, "Athlete of the Century" by the International Olympic Committee and a "national treasure" by Brazil's government.

Pele played in four World Cups and helped Brazil win the global tournament three times, the last in Mexico in 1970.

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