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Legendary Brazil forward Pele is reluctant to leave his house because he cannot walk unaided, his son has said.

The three-time World Cup winner, widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, was taken to hospital with a urinary infection last year.

Pele, 79, has had problems with his hip for some time and now needs a frame to walk, with many of his recent public appearances in a wheelchair.

"He is very sheepish, reclusive," his son Edinho told TV Globo.

Pele scored a world record total of 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during his 21-year career, including 77 goals in 91 appearances for Brazil.

His health has been a concern in recent years and he had prostate surgery in 2015 after he was admitted to hospital for the second time in six months.