Pele is showing signs of “progressive improvement” after being treated for a respiratory infection at a Sao Paulo hospital.
Brazilian release globe have reported that the legendary character’s condition is improving after he was taken to the hospital for tests.
They add that the 82-year-old is “showing stable signs, conscious” and “without further complications”.
The 82-year-old, who was world champion three times in his career in 1958, 1962 and 1970, was hospitalized to be treated for a respiratory infection made worse by Covid.
Despite initial concerns he was near death, his daughters Flavia and Kely Nascimento were quick to dismiss those reports, saying he was “sick” but still supporting Brazil in their bid to win the World Cup.
The former Brazil striker had been placed on palliative care after his chemotherapy treatment for colon cancer was suspended.
Brazilian reports have claimed that Pele is showing signs of improvement in the hospital
Pelé is one of the greatest footballers of all time and has won the World Cup three times with Brazil
However, an update from the doctors treating him in Sao Paulo on Saturday painted a more positive picture.
“He is still receiving treatment and his health is stable. He has also responded well to treatment for respiratory infections with no deterioration in his condition over the past 24 hours,” doctors said.
On Monday, a tweet was published by Pele’s official account wishing Brazil the best of luck ahead of their 4-1 round of 16 win over South Korea.
The message, which included a photo of him as a young man, said: “In 1958 I was walking the streets thinking about fulfilling the promise I had made to my father.
“I know that today many have made similar promises and are also looking for their first world championship.
“I’ll watch the hospital game and cheer for each and every one of you. Much luck!’
Pele (right) pictured with his daughter Flavia Nascimento (left) on Instagram in October
Pele is Brazil’s all-time greatest player and fans in Qatar showed their support for him by unfurling banners at the stadium as they played against Cameroon in their final group game.
Similar demonstrations are expected while Brazil is still in the tournament, with French superstar Kylian Mbappe among those tweeting about Pele as “the king”.
His grandson Arthur revealed last week that they had heatedly discussed the games over the phone.
He said Pele has missed injured star Neymar in Brazil’s last two games in Qatar – a 1-0 win over Switzerland and a 1-0 defeat by Cameroon, both in the group stage.
Arthur added that Pele is worried about Brazil’s creativity without Neymar.
He said: “He thinks so [Brazil] plays good football. It’s difficult without Neymar.
“Even he says he can’t create that much but he can attack more with Neymar. He thinks Brazil is playing well and manages to get sixth place.’
Claims that Pele had been placed in end-of-life care prompted a quick and violent response from his daughters.
Pele sent good news to the Brazilian players as he prepares for the round of 16
He took to Twitter with a message of support for Brazil’s current stars, along with an old photo
Speaking to Fantastico, Kely explained: “He got Covid about three weeks ago. He’s vaccinated, with all the vaccines, but because of the cancer medicine, the chemotherapy, which is fragile, he got pneumonia.
“That’s why he went to the hospital for pneumonia. Is he serious? It’s serious because he’s treating cancer at a certain age.
Flavia went on to explain that the hospital was the best place for Pele to get the care he needed, but insisted the 82-year-old was “not in intensive care”.
She said, “He’ll get better help in the hospital. But he’s not in intensive care, he’s in a normal room. So he is not at risk. As a person with a more fragile health, it is better to be in the hospital.’
Brazilian players held up a banner showing their support for Pele after their 4-1 win over South Korea
Kely added: “People are sending me their condolences (on social media). I say I’ll hang up the phone and not answer anyone.
“I just feel like I have to respond to people. Not to say everything, but to say that it is not so. We don’t rush there to say goodbye.
“We take turns, he’s sick, he’s old, but he’s there for pneumonia. He gets antibiotics and when he’s better he goes home. He doesn’t say goodbye at the hospital.”