SAO PAULO (AFP) - Brazilian football legend Pele was released from hospital on Saturday following prostate surgery, doctors said, after his latest health scare.

The Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo released a picture of a smiling Pele wearing sportswear and waving at the camera with his partner, Marcia Cibele Aoki.

The 74-year-old, who was treated at the same facility last year for a severe urinary tract infection, was discharged at 6.30 pm (local time), it said.

The only player to win three World Cup titles underwent a surgical procedure four days ago known as a transurethral resection of the prostate, which is performed for enlargement of the prostate that causes difficulty urinating.

"Examination results revealed that this is a benign hyperplasia, and therefore there was no incidence of tumours," a medical report indicated on Friday.

Media reports said the surgery for an enlarged prostate - a common condition in ageing men - was aimed at preventing a repeat of the urinary infection that sent Pele to hospital last year.

The global sports icon has suffered a number of health crises in recent months.