Football Icon Pele Battles Cancer

A statement from the Sao Paulo hospital where Pele, 82, is receiving treatment confirmed that the cancer has advanced.

In September 2021, Pele underwent surgery to remove a colon tumor, and he has since received ongoing care.

Pele "had an excellent reaction to treatment for respiratory infection care," based on a hospital statement released shortly after he was admitted, and he was also undergoing a "reassessment of chemotherapy treatment."

The daughter of Brazilian football star Pelé posted a heartfelt tribute and image of her father at the Albert Einstein Jewish Hospital in So Paulo on Instagram late on Friday. Her words were displayed next to a picture of her cuddling up to her father, who was lying in a hospital bed.

“We continue to be here, in fight and in faith. One more night together,” wrote Kely Nascimento.

Nascimento announced earlier in the week that her father would be hospitalized throughout the holiday season.

According to a hospital statement, Pelé, 82, was hospitalised on November 29 for a respiratory infection and "re-evaluation of the chemotherapy treatment over colon cancer detected in September 2021."

According to hospital updates from earlier this week, Pelé's condition had gotten worse and he would now need more care as a result of the cancer's growth.

Nascimento has expressed gratitude to well-wishers for their tributes and encouraging remarks.

Nascimento claimed that Pelé had Covid-19 despite receiving "all doses" of the vaccine after being hospitalized in November, and that the chemotherapy had made him more brittle, causing him to get a lung infection.

With 77 goals in 92 games, Pele is first among all male scorers for Brazil. He also assisted his nation in winning the World Cup in 1958, 1962, and 1970. In 1,363 games over the course of his professional career, he also scored 1,281 goals.

After defeating South Korea in the 2022 World Cup's round of 16, Brazil's players honored Pele by holding up a banner bearing his name and picture.