Pele’s health condition has worsened during his hospital stay to regulate his cancer medication, according to his doctors on Wednesday.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo stated that Pele, 82, is receiving “elevated care” due to “kidney and cardiac dysfunctions” and that his cancer has progressed.
The three-time World Cup champion recently suffered from a respiratory illness that was made worse by COVID-19, but the hospital made no mention of any symptoms.
Following the excision of a colon tumour in September 2021, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele, has been receiving chemotherapy for his cancer treatment. The hospital and his family have not disclosed whether the cancer has spread to other organs.
Pele will remain in the hospital for the Christmas season, according to one of his daughters, Kely Nascimento.
“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.”
Pele, who held the record for most goals scored by the Brazilian national team with 77, guided Brazil to victories in the 1958, 1962, and 1970 World Cups. Neymar, however, joined the Brazilian legend during the just-concluded Qatar World Cup when he scored his 77th international goal against eventual third-place winners Croatia.
