Pele to spend Christmas in hospital as cancer advances

Reports earlier this month said the former Brazil footballer had moved to palliative care

Brazil football legend Pele’s cancer has advanced and he now requires treatment for heart and kidney trouble, according to a medical report released on Wednesday.

Pele, 82, has been battling colon cancer since September 2021 and was hospitalised on 29 November for doctors to reevaluate his treatment.

He will spend Christmas in hospital, his daughter Kely Nascimento-Deluca said in an Instagram post.

“We decided with the doctors that, for various reasons, it would be better for us to stay here,” she said, posting from Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital in Sao Paulo.

She added: “We, as always, thank you for all the love you show here in Brazil as well as around the world! Your love for him, your stories and your prayers are a huge comfort because we know we are not alone.”

Earlier this month, the three-time World Cup winner said he was feeling strong following his regular treatment in a social media post responding to concerning reports about his health.

Brazilian news outlet Folha claimed earlier on Saturday that the former striker had been moved to palliative care and that his chemotherapy to treat colon cancer had been suspended.

“My friends, I want to keep everyone calm and positive,” it read. “I’m strong, with a lot of hope and I follow my treatment as usual. I want to thank the entire medical and nursing team for all the care I have received.

Pele poses with the World Cup trophy during a press conference, outside the Hotel de Ville in Paris in 2014 (AFP/Getty)

“I have a lot of faith in God and every message of love I receive from you all over the world keeps me full of energy. And watch Brazil in the World Cup too! Thank you so much for everything.”

Doctors for Pele, formally known as Edson Arantes do Nascimento, released a statement on Wednesday on his condition.

Pele on the ball in 1972 (PA)

It read: “Hospitalised since 29 November for a reassessment of chemotherapy for colon tumour and treatment of a respiratory infection, Edson Arantes do Nascimento’s cancer has progressed and requires greater care for renal and cardiac dysfunctions.”

Pele underwent surgery to remove a tumour during September 2021 and there have been increasing concerns about his health.

His legend still looms large over the Brazil national team 45 years after his retirement from professional football. He remains tied for the team’s all-time top goalscoring record with current forward Neymar, at 77.

At the World Cup earlier this month, Brazil’s players displayed a banner in support of Pele on the pitch as they celebrated their victory over South Korea in the last 16 round.

Pele had earlier sent a message to his compatriots ahead of the match.

Brazilian players hold a banner in honour of Pele (AP)

He wrote on Twitter: “In 1958, I walked the streets thinking about fulfilling the promise I made to my father. I know that today many have made similar promises and are also going in search of their first World Cup.

“I’ll be watching the game from hospital and I’ll be rooting for each one of you. Good luck!”

Officially, Pele scored 757 goals in 831 games during a glittering career from 1957 to 1977, although club Santos claim his tally was closer to 1,000.