SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazilian soccer great Pelé thanked fans around the world Thursday for the well wishes he has received since he was admitted to a Sao Paulo hospital amid his fight against cancer.
Pelé, 82, who had a colon tumor removed in September 2021, was hospitalized on Tuesday to regulate his medication, his daughter said.
Messages of support have poured in from around the world, including from Brazil’s coach, Tite, at the World Cup in Qatar.
“It’s always good to receive positive messages like this,” Pele said in an Instagram post showing a building in Qatar wishing him well. “Thanks to Qatar for this tribute, and to everyone who sends me good vibes.”
Pele said he was making his monthly visit. Her daughter Kely Nascimento said Wednesday that “there is no emergency” regarding her father’s health. She and another sister, Flavia Nascimento, posted photos of various members of Pelé’s family at an undisclosed location on Thursday.
The Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo did not issue a daily statement on the health of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, the man known worldwide as Pelé.
On Wednesday, the hospital said Pele was in stable condition after arriving on Tuesday “for a reassessment of the chemotherapy treatment of the tumor.” The former soccer player is not in intensive care, the hospital added.
ESPN Brasil reported Wednesday that the three-time World Cup champion was taken to hospital due to “general swelling.”
Earlier on Thursday, Tite also wished Pele well. during a news conference ahead of his team’s World Cup group stage match against Cameroon on Friday. The team needs a draw to finish first in Group G.
After having a tumor removed more than a year ago, the hospital said Pelé would start chemotherapy, but did not say whether the former soccer player’s cancer had spread to other organs. He has checked into the hospital every month since.
Pelé helped Brazil win the World Cups in 1958, 1962 and 1970 and remains the country’s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 appearances for the national team.
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