The hospital treating Brazilian soccer great Pele on Wednesday announced “progress” in his cancer, as well as kidney and heart problems.
Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein Hospital said Pele, 82, was being treated in a general ward but “needs more care for kidney and heart problems.”
Considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time, Pele was admitted to hospital in Sao Paulo on 29 November to have his chemotherapy treatment re-evaluated by his medical team. , which he had been receiving since surgery to remove a colon tumor. September 2021.
Doctors have also diagnosed Pele – whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nescafamento – with a respiratory infection.
Earlier this month, Pele’s daughters Kelly Nascimento and Flavia Arantes tried to reassure fans about his health, denying reports that Pele was in end-of-life care.
“Edson Arantes do Nescacimento presents with an advanced stage of cancer and requires increased care related to kidney and heart problems,” the hospital said in a statement on Wednesday.
He added that he was not in intensive care.
Minutes after the hospital’s announcement, Nescacimento and Arantes said on Instagram that their father would not be home for Christmas.
“Our Christmas at home has been suspended,” he wrote.
“We decided together with the doctors that for various reasons, it would be best for us to stay with all the care that this new Einstein family gives us!!”
Pelé scored over 1,000 goals in one of the most storied careers in sports. He is the only player in history to have won three World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970).
“The King”‘s health has been fragile in recent years, and his public appearances have been few and far between. But he remains active on social media.
He posted regularly online during the Qatar World Cup, including a message of support for Brazilian star Neymar after the “Selecao” crashed out of the tournament in a quarter-final loss to Croatia.