Soccer legend Pele has said he feels “strong” and has “a lot of hope” as he receives hospital treatment for his battle with colon cancer.
The 82 year old man posted on Instagram following a bulletin from the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, where he was admitted earlier this week so doctors could reassess his care.
“My friends, I want to keep everyone calm and positive,” said the Brazilian.
“I am strong, with great enthusiasm and I follow my treatment as always.
“I want to thank the entire medical and nursing team for all the care I have received.
“I have a lot of faith in God and every message of love I receive from you around the world keeps me energized.
“And look at Brazil in the World Cup too! Thank you very much for everything.”
The hospital’s medical bulletin revealed that Pelé was stable and had responded well to treatment for a respiratory infection, which was diagnosed on admission.
It came after a city newspaper reported that he was being moved into hospice care after the chemotherapy he was receiving for colon cancer failed to deliver.
But the hospital said his condition has not worsened in the last 24 hours.
The Folha de S.Paulo report on Saturday, picked up by the world’s media, sparked an outpouring of well-wishes from across the football world, including from England captain Harry Kane.
“First of all, we send our best wishes to him and his family as well,” he told a World Cup news conference.
“He is an inspiration to our game, an incredible footballer and an incredible person.”
Asked about the advice Pele had given him, urging the Tottenham forward to never believe he is the best player in the world and to keep learning, Kane said: “Hearing those words from him then was very special for me.”
“And I always feel like I’m someone who’s always learning and will continue to learn for the rest of my career, so he hit the nail on the head with his advice.
“Of course I am saddened to hear that news, but we wish him the best, not just me, but all of England as well.”
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‘The incredible Pelé is an inspiration’
French soccer player Kylian Mbappe tweeted “Pray for the King” along with a crown and tagged Pelé in his post.
The messages came after Folha de S.Paulo reported that Pelé was no longer receiving treatment for his cancer, but would now only be treated for symptoms such as pain and shortness of breath.
The newspaper said he had general inflammation and heart problems when he was admitted to hospital earlier this week, a detail previously reported by ESPN Brasil.
Brazil fans hold a banner reading Pele, ‘Get Well Soon’ at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
Pele was taken to hospital in Sao Paolo on Tuesday to assess his cancer treatment after having a tumor removed from his colon in September 2021.
On Thursday, the thanked concerned fans for your messages.
“It’s always nice to receive positive messages like this,” he posted on Instagram.
Thanks to Qatar for this tribute, and to everyone who sends me good vibes.”
