Pele hopes to make closing ceremony for Rio Games

Pele first cited sponsorship commitments and later health concerns for keeping him away from the opening ceremony

Pele was the preferred choice of organizers to light the cauldron but he missed the opening ceremony because of poor health

Pele hopes to appear at the closing ceremony of the Rio Olympics after missing the opening because of poor health.

The Brazilian soccer great tweeted Tuesday: “I am continuing my physiotherapy and focused on joining you for the closing festivities on August 21. I love you! #olympics.”

Pele was the preferred choice of organizers to light the cauldron. But he first cited sponsorship commitments and later health concerns for keeping him away.

The 75-year-old Pele had hip surgery recently. He walks with a cane.

The Olympic cauldron was lit by Brazilian marathon runner Vanderlei de Lima.

Last month, Pele held the Olympic flame in Santos, a city near Sao Paulo, where he started his career. He never played in the Olympics.

I want to thank everyone for the well wishes from around the world, regarding the >#olympics>#openingceremony>pic.twitter.com/hzo2CqTxdX

— Pelé (@Pele) >August 9, 2016