Brazilian soccer icon Pele’s health has deteriorated and he will spend Christmas in hospital as he continues to battle colon cancer.
Pele, 82, has been battling colon cancer since September 2021 and was hospitalized on November 29 for doctors to reevaluate his treatment.
Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein Hospital issued an update on Pele’s condition on Wednesday, announcing that he now requires treatment for heart and kidney dysfunction.
Brazilian soccer legend Pele’s health has deteriorated as he continues to battle colon cancer
He was also treated for a respiratory infection, which was diagnosed after his hospitalization.
“Edson Arantes do Nascimento has been authorized since November 29 for a reassessment of chemotherapy for colon tumors and the treatment of a respiratory infection and shows a progression of the oncological disease and requires greater care in relation to renal and cardiac dysfunction,” the statement reads Medical staff update.
“The patient remains inpatient under the necessary care of the medical team in a common room.”
The legend’s daughter, Kely Nascimento, said in an Instagram post that his fans’ support was a “great consolation” to him.
She wrote: “Your love for him, your stories and your prayers are a HUGE comfort as we know we are not alone.
He was also treated for a respiratory infection, which was diagnosed after his hospitalization
“Let’s turn this room into a sambadrome (just kidding), let’s even make caipirinhas (no kidding!!)”
Pele has been in and out of hospital since a tumor was removed from his colon in September 2021 and has undergone chemotherapy to fight the cancer.
The news comes after recent reports gave fans some optimism and claimed he has improved.
“The patient continues to show improvement in clinical condition, particularly respiratory infection. He remains in a normal room, conscious and with stable vital signs,” said medical staff at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo.
Pele has been in and out of hospital since a tumor was removed from his colon in 2021
Sportsmail reported earlier this month that Pele had made “progressive improvements” after being taken to hospital for tests.
Despite initial concerns he was near death, his daughters Flavia and Kely Nascimento were quick to dismiss those reports, saying he was “ill” but continued to support Brazil at the World Cup.
A previous update from the doctors treating him in Sao Paulo supported his daughters’ claims, but it appears his condition has now worsened.
Pele is considered Brazil’s all-time greatest player and he had tweeted that he would be following his country’s campaign at the World Cup in Qatar.
Considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, Pele won three World Cups with Brazil
Brazilian players held up a banner showing their support for Pele after their 4-1 win over South Korea
He appeared on the world stage at the age of 17 at the 1958 World Cup, helping Brazil to their first of five record wins before also winning the 1962 and 1970 World Cups with the national team.
He revealed he was “cheering for” Brazil’s current star players as he watched their World Cup Round of 16 match against South Korea from the hospital.
However, Brazil’s trip to the Gulf country came to an unexpectedly early end when they were surprisingly eliminated against Croatia in the quarter-finals.
Despite being eliminated from the World Cup, Pele congratulated Neymar for matching his goalscoring record with Brazil during the match.
Taking to Instagram, the legend posted a picture of Neymar and wrote: “I’ve seen you grow, I cheered for you every day and I can finally congratulate you on reaching my goal tally with Brazil.
“We both know this is more than a number. Our greatest duty as athletes is to inspire. Inspire our teammates today, the generations to come and most of all everyone who loves our sport.”
Despite Brazil’s surprise elimination in the World Cup quarter-finals, Pele congratulated Neymar
Pele’s official Instagram account wrote a message to Neymar after Brazil’s elimination from the World Cup
Pelé further elaborated on Brazil’s elimination from the tournament. “Unfortunately, this is not the happiest day for us.
“My record was set almost 50 years ago and nobody had come close to it until now. You have arrived, little one. That shows how great your achievement is.”
The 82-year-old also watched the final of the tournament from the hospital and once again took to social media to congratulate Lionel Messi and Argentina on their dramatic penalty shootout win over France.