Pele, Football icon to spend Christmas in hospital

As Peles health worsened during a battle with colon cancer, he will be kept in the hospital over Christmas according to an update from his medical staff.

The Brazilian icon watched the World Cup from a hospital bed after he was brought in for doctors to evaluate his treatment last month.

The 82-year-old was diagnosed with colon cancer in September 2021 and thus requires care for renal and cardiac issues.

He remains at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where his worsening condition means he will stay over Christmas.

Pele has also been battling a respiratory infection, which was diagnosed after his latest trip to the hospital.

A statement from his medical staff began: “Admitted since November 29 for a reassessment of chemotherapy therapy for colon tumour and treatment of a respiratory infection, Edson Arantes do Nascimento presents a progression of the oncological disease and requires greater care related to renal and cardiac dysfunctions.

“The patient remains hospitalized in a common room, under the necessary care of the medical team.”

Pele has been in and out of the hospital since his initial diagnosis last year and his daughter, Kely Nascimento, claims that messages of support are providing him with comfort.

“Your love for him, your stories and your prayers are a HUGE comfort because we know we are not alone,” she wrote on Instagram.

“Let’s turn this room into a Sambadrome [just kidding], let’s even make caipirinhas [not kidding!!].”

Pele put together a remarkable career at the club and international levels, becoming Santos’ record goal-scorer and surging to World Cup fame at the age of just 17.