"The patient Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pele) was admitted to this hospital suffering from a detached retina in his left eye and underwent surgery to correct the problem," read a statement from the Albert Einstein hospital.

"The surgery went without problems with a good result."

Reports said Pele's problem arose during a trip abroad at the weekend.

"He was in Switzerland and suffered an abrupt loss of vision in his left eye," Pele's ophthalmologist Marcelo Cunha told the Estado News Agency.

"He called me and I told him to go and see a doctor. The diagnosis was that the retina had moved out of place."

"Now, Pele will have to rest for 10 days. The chances of a total recovery are very good. His vision will return to normal little by little."