There is yet another worrisome health update on football living legend Pele, this time just a few days after the conclusion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
According to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN) and The Guardian, among other outlets, Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo confirmed Wednesday that Pele’s cancer has advanced and that the 82-year-old “requires further care related to renal and cardiac dysfunctions.”
It was first learned in late November that Pele, who had a colon tumor removed in September 2021, had been hospitalized with “generalized swelling.” Reports then surfaced claiming that he was dealing with bronchopneumonia, but it was indicated on Dec. 2 that he was showing signs of improvement.
“The patient remains hospitalized in a common room, under the necessary care of the medical team,” Albert Einstein Hospital added in its Wednesday statement. The medical facility mentioned nothing about his recent respiratory issue.
Kely Nascimento, one of Pele’s daughters, has repeatedly offered updates on her famous father via Instagram and wrote Wednesday that he will remain hospitalized at least through Christmas.
“Our Christmas at home has been suspended,” she announced via the social media website. “We decided with the doctors that, for various reasons, it would be better for us to stay here with all the care that this new family at Einstein gives us! We are going to turn this room into a Sambodromo [just kidding], we will even make caipirinhas [not kidding!!].”
The family said it will give an update on Pele’s condition next week.
Pele guided Brazil to World Cup victories in 1958, 1962 and 1970. Superstar Neymar tied Pele’s all-time men’s record for international goals scored by Brazilian players (77) during this year’s World Cup held in Qatar.
