SAO PAULO (AP) — Two daughters and a grandson of Brazilian soccer great Pelé said the three-time World Cup winner has been hospitalized since Tuesday to treat a respiratory infection aggravated by COVID-19. They added that the 82-year-old man is not in any imminent risk of death.
Kely and Flavia Nascimento and Arthur Arantes do Nascimento said in an interview broadcast on Sunday night that Pelé, who is also receiving chemotherapy in his fight against cancer, is expected to leave the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo once he recovers. entirely from the respiratory infection. Neither the family nor the hospital have forecasts in this regard.
The hospital said on Saturday that Pele is responding well to treatment for the infection and that his health has not worsened in the past 24 hours. The hospital did not issue any statement on the state of health of the former soccer player this Sunday.
“He is sick, he is old. But right now, he’s there because of the lung infection. And once he feels better, he will come home, ”Kely Nascimento told TV Globo. She lives in the United States and spoke on video.
“He is not saying goodbye in a hospital right now,” he added.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known worldwide as Pelé, had a colon tumor removed in September 2021, but neither his family nor the hospital have said whether it had spread.
Flavia Nascimento said in the interview that Pelé has not yet had a remission from his colon cancer, but now he is regulating his medication with the doctors to continue fighting.
“It is very unfair that people say that they are at the end of their life, in hospice care. Guys, that’s not true. Trust us,” she said. “He is not in intensive care, he is in a normal bedroom. He is not at risk, he is in treatment.”
The Folha de S.Paulo newspaper reported on Saturday that Pelé’s chemotherapy is not working and that doctors decided to put him in palliative care. The Associated Press could not confirm that information.
Arthur Arantes do Nascimento said he is discussing World Cup matches with Pele over the phone, which he believes shows the 82-year-old is fully conscious in hospital.
Pelé’s grandson said the former soccer player missed injured star Neymar in Brazil’s last two games in Qatar: a 1-0 win against Switzerland and a 1-0 loss for the reserves against Cameroon, both in the knockout phase. of groups. Brazil faces South Korea on Monday in the round of 16, with Neymar possibly returning to the team.
Arthur Arantes do Nascimento also said that his grandfather was moved by the tributes that have come from all over the world in recent days. Since Saturday, close to a hundred fans of Santos, his lifelong club, attended a vigil, prayers and tributes to the soccer great. Fans, players and coaches who participated in the World Cup wished him the best in multiple ways.
“I see people telling me ‘rest in peace’ (for Pele). One day it will happen, but it is not today”, said Arthur Arantes do Nascimento. “It will be fine, it is a matter of time. You will see Brazil lift the sixth title”.
Pelé helped Brazil win the 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cups and remains the team’s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 games.
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