December 5 – Pélé and his doctors have reassured the public after Brazilian media had reported that the football legend was no longer responding to chemotherapy and had been moved to palliative care.
“My friends, I want to keep everyone calm and positive,” read a brief post on Pelé’s Instagram account. “I’m strong, with a lot of hope and I follow my treatment as usual.”
Doctors at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo, one of the country’s leading hospitals, said in a statement on Saturday that Pelé, 82, was in stable condition.
Pelé had been admitted to reassess the chemotherapy he is receiving in his fight against colon cancer. Pelé had “a good response” to treatment for a respiratory infection, the statement said, and his health had not worsened in the last 24 hours.
The hospital released the statement after the Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper reported that he had been moved to an end-of-life ward, prompting a flurry of well wishes, including from Kylan Mbappé, as well as speculation. In Doha, various skyscrapers had electronic messages in support of the Brazilian.
Pelé’s health has been troublesome in recent years and reports noted earlier that he was back in the hospital. The former player wrote on social media: “Friends, I am at the hospital making my monthly visit. It’s always nice to receive positive messages like this. Thanks to Qatar for this tribute, and to everyone who sends me good vibes!”
The Brazilian is widely regarded as the greatest player of all time. He remains the only player to win the World Cup three times.
In 1958, Pelé stormed onto the world stage in Sweden as a teenager. He crowned his career with a third laurel in 1970 in Mexico. With his club Santos, Pelé won countless prizes, including the Intercontinental Cup twice in the early 60s when the Brazilian club dominated the global game.
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