Brazilian football legend Pele remained in a Sao Paulo hospital Tuesday having been admitted overnight Monday with a urinary infection, barely a week after undergoing surgery for kidney stones, the clinic said.

"The patient Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pele) remains in hospital with tests revealing the presence of a urinary infection. He remains stable for the moment," a statement from the Albert Einstein clinic read.

Three-time world champion Pele, 74, spent two days in the same hospital when he underwent surgery on November 13, having also had hip surgery there two years ago.

Pele, nicknamed O Rei (the king), was born in a humble home in the city of Tres Coracoes, but is considered by many as the greatest footballer in history with his exploits for Brazil and a career which saw him score 1,281 goals in 1,363 games.

He scored 77 goals in 91 games for his country and won his first World Cup aged just 17, scoring twice in the 1958 final win over hosts Sweden.