Brazil great Pele collapses with exhaustion

Brazilian football great Pele has collapsed with exhaustion and been forced to cancel a long-planned trip to London this weekend, the Football Writers Association (FWA) said on Friday. The FWA was due to host a dinner in his honour at the Savoy hotel on Sunday but said the 77-year-old would not make it.

Pele is in hospital after collapsing on Thursday with exhaustion: https://t.co/WtvIi1W0jd pic.twitter.com/IL9VcWGU41

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 19, 2018

"In the early hours of Thursday morning, Pele collapsed and was taken to hospital in Brazil where he has undergone a series of tests which appear to point to severe exhaustion," the FWA said in a statement. "He remains on fluids while doctors monitor his recovery. Thankfully, there is no suggestion of anything more serious than exhaustion."

Fears for Pele as Brazil legend hospitalised and kept under close observation after collapse in homelandhttps://t.co/NyB8YKodsV pic.twitter.com/WPP445XZOc

— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) January 19, 2018

Pele, who is the only player to win three World Cups, has been taken to hospital for kidney and prostrate problems in recent years and also underwent hip surgery. Still considered the greatest player of all time, he appeared in a wheelchair at his last big international appearance in Moscow in December for the draw for the 2018 World Cup.