Debunked initial reports
According to the Associated Press, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, also known as Pelé, has not been moved to end-of-life care as previously reported, but is responding well to treatment at the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in So Paulo.
As reported by Tariq Panja of the New York Times, the hospital stated on Saturday that Pelé’s condition had not worsened during the previous 24 hours.
The legendary Brazilian soccer player was admitted on Tuesday, reportedly for general edema, heart difficulties, and to adjust his chemotherapy medicine.
The 82-year-old has been receiving cancer therapy since September 2021, when a colon tumor was surgically removed.
A medical report released on Friday indicated that Pelé had a satisfactory reaction to an antibiotic therapy for a lung infection and was in stable condition with “overall improvement in health status.”
Friday amid Brazil’s 1-0 loss to Cameroon at the World Cup, Brazilian supporters showed their support for Pelé. A huge banner reading “Pelé, Get well soon” and featuring an image of him cradling a soccer ball was erected. A structure near the stadium also flashed a get-well-soon image of Pelé.
Pelé thanked supporters for their support via his Instagram account. He wrote, “Friends, I am making my monthly hospital visit. It is always pleasant to get such encouraging messages. Thank you to Qatar for this tribute, and to everybody who offer me positive energy!”
Pelé, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, is regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time. At the age of 15, he began playing for the soccer team Santos. Officially, Pelé scored 757 goals in 831 games between 1957 and 1977; however, Santos maintains that he scored closer to 1,000.
With victories in 1958, 1962, and 1970, he is the only player to ever won three World Cups. Kylian Mbappé is the only player to have scored seven World Cup goals before turning 24. He also conveyed his support for the legend.
