Brazilian great Pele is showing further signs of improvement as he continues his recovery from a kidney condition.
The three-time World Cup winner remains in "semi-intensive care" at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo.
Pele, 74, was admitted on November 24 after being diagnosed with a urinary tract infection that stemmed from a November 13 operation to remove kidney stones.
He has only one kidney, having had one removed towards the end of his playing career.
A statement from the hospital on Friday was signed by doctors Fabio Nasri and Marcelo Costa Batista, and the hospital's superintendent Dr Miguel Cendoroglo Neto.
It read: "Patient Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pele) presents signs of both clinical improvement and progressive improvement of his condition. He remains hospitalised in a semi-intensive care unit.
"His renal function continues to improve and he has haemodynamic and respiratory stability. He continues to take antibiotic medication intravenously and shows no signs of infection.
"The hospital will provide further bulletins if there is new information."
Source: PA
