Brazilian football great Pele will spend Christmas in the hospital, according to his family and medical team on Wednesday. This is because he is being treated for kidney and heart issues as well as cancer that is getting worse.
The Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo stated that the patient, who is 82 years old, “requires greater care related to renal and cardiac dysfunctions.” It also said that Pele’s cancer had “progressed,” but that he was not in intensive care.
Pele, who is widely regarded as the greatest football player of all time, was admitted to a hospital in Sao Paulo on November 29 for what his medical team referred to as a re-evaluation of the chemotherapy he had been receiving since undergoing surgery to remove a colon tumor in September 2021.
Specialists have also analyzed Pele – – whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento – – with respiratory disease.
Kely Nascimento and Flavia Arantes, Pele’s daughters, attempted to reassure fans about his health earlier this month. They denied reports that Pele had been placed in end-of-life care while supporters held a vigil outside the hospital.
They announced on Instagram on Wednesday that they would spend Christmas at the hospital with their father.
“We decided with the doctors that, for a variety of reasons, it would be better for us to stay here with all of the care that this new family at Einstein gives us!!,” the statement reads.
The sisters thanked Pele’s fans for their support and wished them a happy holiday season, accompanied by a picture of them smiling.
“We are going to make caipirinhas (not kidding!!) and transform this room into a Sambodrome,” They made fun of Brazil’s well-known cocktail.
Next week, the siblings promised an update.
When he was 17 years old, “The King” Pele took the 1958 World Cup by storm, scoring a hat trick in the semifinals and two more goals in the final to launch his own career and the Brazilian national team’s soccer dynasty.
In one of the sports careers with the most storied histories, Pele scored more than 1,000 goals. He is the only player in history to win three World Cups, winning them in 1958, 1962, and 1970.
The man who is known as “The King” has had to deal with deteriorating health in recent years, and he no longer makes many public appearances.
He has managed his illnesses with brand name amiableness, staying dynamic via online entertainment.
During the Qatar World Cup, Pele posted frequently, including a message of congratulations to captain Lionel Messi after Argentina won the tournament.
“All the best to Argentina! Diego (Maradona, who passed on November 25, 2020) is presumably grinning now,” he composed.
Pele also watched from the hospital as the “Selecao”‘s star player Neymar tied his goal record of 77.
Pele has received messages from fans all over the world, including one from French striker Kylian Mbappe, who urged fans to “pray for the King” earlier this month.
Pele made one of his final public appearances in April 2019 in Paris for a promotional event with Mbappe.
Qatar, the host nation of the World Cup, also demonstrated its support for Pele by lighting up buildings with the message “Get well soon.”