Pele uses walker at World Economic Forum event

SAO PAULO » Pele appeared at a World Economic Forum event in Sao Paulo on Wednesday using a walker, but later said his mobility is slowly returning following a second hip surgery.

The 77-year-old Brazil great, a three-time World Cup winner, joked that he’s not ready to get back to playing soccer anytime soon, though.

“I am well, but I cannot assure that I will play in the World Cup in Russia,” Pele said at the event. “My movements are starting to come back, it is great.”

Pele was handed an award for his career at the event but had to remain seated throughout the presentation. Upon his arrival with the walker, Pele said it was his “new car.”

In January, Pele appeared with a walker for the first time at an event in Rio de Janeiro. Later, he skipped an award ceremony in England so he could rest at home.

Spokesman Pepito Fornos told The Associated Press that Pele is still planning to attend this year’s World Cup.

Barcelona beats Chelsea

BARCELONA, SPAIN » Lionel Messi joined Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League’s 100-goal club after scoring twice to lead Barcelona past Chelsea and into the Champions League quarterfinals for an 11th straight season on Wednesday.

Messi also set up Ousmane Dembele in a 3-0 win at Camp Nou after he had scored Barcelona’s goal in the opening-leg 1-1 draw in London.

British royals to skip Cup

LONDON » British politicians and royals will not attend the World Cup in Russia after the poisoning of a former spy in England, Prime Minister Theresa May said, although she didn’t address calls to boycott the tournament completely.

The largely symbolic announcement, coming three months before England is to play at the tournament, was among a series of measures hitting back at the Kremlin. May said the attempted murder of ex-agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter with a nerve agent in the English city of Salisbury represented an “unlawful use of force by the Russian state.”