Brazilian soccer legend Pele's condition 'improving'

Brazilian soccer legend Pele is reportedly in 'special care' at a hospital in Sao Paulo as his condition worsens.

Brazilian soccer legend Pele is in "special care" at a hospital in Sao Paulo, according to Alex Bello, who wrote Pelé: The Autobiography.

The new re #Pele from Brazil is not as bad as UK press making out. His spokesman said his health has NOT got worse since yesterday

— Alex Bellos (@alexbellos) November 27, 2014

According to the Telegraph report, the 74-year-old was taken to Albert Einstein hospital on Monday because of a urinary tract infection. According to Bello, Pele's spokesman said he was receiving so many people at his bedside that the hospital secluded him "so he will not be disturbed by visitors."

Pele underwent surgery at the same hospital two weeks ago to remove kidney stones and was later discharged. He had been scheduled to appear at an event but was hospitalized after experiencing stomach pain.

As a player, Pele won three World Cup titles with Brazil and scored 1,282 goals in his career. He played with the Brazil national team from 1957 to 1971 and was the top goal scorer in the Sao Paulo league in 11 different seasons. 

He was inducted into the American National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1993 and was named one of TIME's 100 most influential people of the 20th century in 1999. 

- Molly Geary