Football: Pele's cancer worsens, will stay in hospital over Christmas
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Pele was hospitalised in Sao Paulo on Nov 29 for what his medical team called a re-evaluation of his chemotherapy treatments.
PHOTO: AFP
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SAO PAULO - The hospital treating Brazilian football great Pele announced a “progression” on Wednesday in his cancer, as well as kidney and heart problems.
Pele, 82, is being treated in the general ward but “requires greater care related to renal and cardiac dysfunctions”, said the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo.
Considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time, Pele was hospitalised in Sao Paulo on Nov 29 for what his medical team called a re-evaluation of his chemotherapy treatments, which he has been receiving since undergoing surgery to remove a colon tumour in September 2021.
Doctors have also diagnosed Pele – whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento – with a respiratory infection.
Earlier in December, Pele’s daughters Kely Nascimento and Flavia Arantes sought to reassure fans about his health, denying reports that Pele had been placed in end-of-life care.
“Edson Arantes do Nascimento presents cancer disease progression and requires greater care related to renal and cardiac dysfunctions,” a hospital statement said on Wednesday.
He was not in intensive care, it added, saying: “The patient remains hospitalised in a common room, under the necessary care of the medical team.”
Just minutes after the hospital announcement, his daughters said on Instagram their father would not be home for Christmas.
“Our Christmas at home has been suspended,” they wrote.
“We decided with the doctors that, for various reasons, it would be better for us to stay here with all the care that this new family at Einstein gives us.
“We, as always, thank you for all the love you show us here in Brazil as well as around the world.
“Your love for him and your stories and prayers are a HUGE comfort because we know we are not alone. We love you, we will give you an update next week.”
Pele scored more than 1,000 goals in one of the most storied careers in sport. He is the only player in history to win three World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970).
He has been in fragile health in recent years and his public appearances have grown rare. But he remains active on social media.
He posted regularly online during the Qatar World Cup, including a message of support to Brazil star Neymar after the Selecao crashed out of the tournament in a quarter-final loss to Croatia.
“I saw you grow, I cheered for you every day and I can finally congratulate you for reaching my number of goals (77) with Brazil,” he wrote.
“We both know that this is more than a figure. Our biggest duty as athletes is to inspire. Inspire our teammates of today, the next generations and, above all, everyone who loves our sport.”
Following Argentina’s win in Sunday’s World Cup final, Pele posted a picture of their team lifting the trophy, and hailed performances from captain Lionel Messi, France’s rising star Kylian Mbappe, and surprise semi-finalists Morocco.
“Today, football continues to tell its story, as always, in an enthralling way,” he said. “What a gift it was to watch this spectacle of the future of our sport.”
Brazilian players had, after their round-of-16 win over South Korea, unfurled a massive banner on the pitch with an image of the football great during his 1970 World Cup win. It simply read: “Pele!”
AFP, REUTERS
