Pele assures fans he is alright and will attend the 2016 Olympics

Rio de Janeiro, Dec 6 (IANS) Football great Pele has released a video thanking fans for their support during his treatment for a urinary tract infection.

The 74-year-old, who has spent the past 11 days at Sao Paulo's Albert Einstein hospital, played his guitar before delivering a short message in English, reports Xinhua.

"I know everybody has been worried about my health, but I'm ok," he said, adding that he was already looking forward to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. "We're going to participate in the Games together."

Pele was originally treated with antibiotics before being transferred to the hospital's intensive care unit Nov 27 and placed on dialysis to help his kidneys function.

According to the hospital's latest medical bulletin, Pele could soon be released from the intensive care unit.

"Pele continues to show no sign of infection and is receiving intravenous antibiotics," the bulletin said.

"Given his improvement, his transfer to a (ward) room is being programmed."