Pele was transferred to an intensive care unit of a Sao Paulo hospital on Thursday after a urinary tract infection spread to his kidneys.

The Albert Einstein Hospital said in a statement that the 74-year-old was receiving renal support treatment, adding that there had been "an improvement in his clinical condition."

Pele was admitted to the hospital on Monday and initially received antibiotics to treat the infection.

Earlier on Thursday, the hospital said the three-time World Cup winner had been shifted to a special care unit suffering "clinical instability."

Pele's personal aide, Pepito, was quoted telling media that the former Santos and New York Cosmos idol was "fine" and would return home "in a few days."

The legendary Brazil No.10 was released from the same hospital on November 13 after undergoing surgery to remove kidney stones.

Pele has enjoyed relatively good health despite undergoing surgery for a detached retina and a hip replacement in the past decade.

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