82-year-old soccer sensation Pele has been moved into the ‘palliative care’ ward at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo. This comes after a very difficult battle with chemotherapy to treat his prior diagnosed bowel cancer which was first discovered in September 2021. The treatment has since stopped working and the once legend on the field is now being made comfortable with pain relief.
Pele: Soccer legend and three-time World Cup winner
The player has reported back that he is suffering from general swelling and heart failure. His daughter Kely says he is in stable condition and played down the issues, but Folha de Sao Paulo reported on Saturday Pele is receiving ‘end-of-life care.’
Wishes from those who knew him well
Pele’s former club, Santos, has sent him well wishes. Along with them, Brazilian ex-player Rivaldo and the France international forward Kylian Mbappe have tweeted about the player. Fans around the world are in shock and have en masse joined in on social media to support the soccer legend in his last moments. England captain Harry Kane said: “We send our best wishes to him and all his family from the whole England set-up. He’s an inspiration, an incredible person.”
The France international forward, Kylian Mbappe, tweeted, “pray for the King.” Pele’s former club Santos wrote: “It’s the whole world wishing you well, King Pele.” The current Brazil star Vinicius Jr posted pictured fan banners from Friday’s World Cup match against Cameroon and said: “Força rei” which translates to “strength to the King“.
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The world is watching
Some facts about Pele’s career
- He won 3 World Cups for Brazil in 1958, 1962, and 1970.
- Pele scored 643 goals in 659 official matches for the Brazilian club Santos.
- He scored 77 times in 92 games for his country’s national team.
Speaking at the start of the BBC’s coverage of the Netherlands vs United States World Cup game, German legend Jurgen Klinsmann said of Pele: “He is always nice to every fan walking up to him and obviously he is Pele, the outstanding personality of world football. Obviously, this is very, very sad news and let’s just pray for him and hope for the best. But it is sad news.”
Admitted for a respiratory infection
The Albert Einstein Hospital released a statement last Friday notifying the public that the star had been diagnosed with a respiratory infection and was being treated with antibiotics. They then updated this statement saying that he would remain in their care for further treatment but that his condition was ‘stable.’
Pele responds to get-well messages
He responded to a ‘Get well soon’ message that was projected onto a building in Qatar, where the 2022 Soccer World Cup is being held. He wrote: “Friends, I am at the hospital making my monthly visit. It’s always nice to receive positive messages like this. Thanks to Qatar for this tribute, and to everyone who sends me good vibes.“
Pele also recorded a video for Instagram on his 82nd birthday on October 23, accompanying it with the message: “On my birthday, I just want to express my gratitude. Life is good. Turning 82 with my family, in good health, is the best gift. Thank you for everything I have received.”
A statement issued to the Brazilian media said: “After a medical evaluation, the patient was taken to a common room, without the need for hospitalization in a semi-intensive unit or ICU. The former player is in full control of vital function and [in a] stable clinical condition.”
His wife and carer, Marcia Aoki stands by his side
There is no definitive timeframe for Pele’s return home, but his loving wife remains by his side. However, his daughter Kely Nascimento, who is not in Brazil, stated that “Lots of alarm in the media today concerning my dad’s health. He is in the hospital regulating medication. There is no emergency or new dire prediction. I will be there for New Year’s and promise to post some pictures.“
He was hospitalized for six days last year to remove a tumor discovered in his colon. The issue was discovered while he was undergoing routine examinations at Sao Paulo’s Albert Einstein Hospital. The sad news about his current condition came as Brazilian fans erected a banner in his honor ahead of their final World Cup group match against Cameroon on Friday night.
“We found out the news on Wednesday,’ coach Tite said ahead of the Cameroon game. He is possibly one of the biggest representatives of Brazil. We wish him good health. That’s the feeling of all of us from the Brazil squad. We are wishing Pele all the best.” The Brazilian camp said.
A man loved by millions, the soccer legend is no longer expected to go through intensive tests and treatments. Edson Arantes do Nascimento, as he is known to those closest to him is undeniably the world’s greatest soccer player there is and deserves to go out being remembered for this.
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Sources
- Instagram. Pele
- Instagram. Vini Jr
- “Football legend Pele ‘is moved to end-of-life care’ in hospital, as doctors stop chemotherapy with his body not responding to it in fight against bowel cancer.” Daily Mail. Adam Shergold. December 3, 2022.
