Pele’s health worsens as cancer advances

Football great Edson Arantes do Nascimento, a.k.a Pele

Zim Now Writer

Football icon Pele’s health has deteriorated during his hospital stay to regulate his cancer medication, doctors said on Wednesday.

The Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo said in a statement on Wednesday that Pele’s cancer has advanced and that the 82-year-old Brazilian soccer great is under “elevated care” related to “kidney and cardiac dysfunctions”.

The hospital did not mention any signs of the three-time World Cup winner’s recent respiratory infection, which was aggravated by Covid-19.

“Edson Arantes do Nascimento, who is globally known as Pele, is undergoing chemotherapy in his fight against cancer since he had a colon tumor removed in September 2021,” the hospital said.

Neither his family nor the hospital have said whether it had spread to other organs.

Kely Nascimento, one of his daughters, told a Brazilian tabloid that Pele will stay in the hospital during Christmas.

“We decided with doctors that, for many reasons, it will be best for us to stay here, with all the care that this new family at Einstein gives us,” she wrote on Instagram. “We will even make some caipirinhas (no kidding). We love you and we will give up an update next week.”

Newspaper Folha de S. Paulo reported on Saturday that Pele’s chemotherapy is not working and that doctors have decided to put him on palliative care. Pele’s family denied that report.

Pele led Brazil to victory the 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cups and remains one of the team’s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals. Neymar tied Pele’s record during the latest World Cup.