According to reports in Brazil, Pele has been moved into ‘end-of-life care,’ as the three-time World Cup winner is no longer responding to treatment for colon cancer. The 82-year-old was taken to the hospital on Tuesday night due to concerns for his well-being and is now in palliative care.
The footballing world has been waiting for word on Pele’s health after he was admitted to Albert Einstein Hospital on Tuesday with generalised swelling and decompensated heart failure.
Pele’s family has attempted to assuage fears about his health, with his daughter Kely Nascimento stating on Instagram that ‘there was no emergency,’ while the Brazilian legend himself stated that it was one of his routine monthly visits as he continued his cancer treatment after being diagnosed in 2021.
However, according to the Brazilian publication Folha de Sao Paulo, Pele is no longer responding to chemotherapy and has been placed in palliative care. He will no longer receive invasive treatments, but he will continue to receive therapies and medication to keep him comfortable. Palliative care is end-of-life care provided to patients with life-threatening conditions or diseases.
Pele released a statement on Instagram on Saturday night, writing:
“My friends, I want to keep everyone calm and positive. I’m strong, with a lot of hope and I’m following my treatment as always. I want to thank the entire medical and nursing team for all the care I’ve received.
“I have a lot of faith in God and every message of love I receive from you, coming from all over the world, keeps me full of energy. And watching Brazil in the World Cup, too! Thank you so much for everything.”
Pele has received many well-wishes from the ongoing World Cup 2022 in Qatar, with some Brazilian fans holding up banners of support and the message ‘get well soon’ to one of their most famous players during Friday’s 1-0 loss to Cameroon. On Monday, Tite’s side will face South Korea in the round of 16 clash.
