Brazilian soccer great Pele said on Saturday he is “strong” and grateful for the widespread support he has received since being hospitalized in Sao Paulo earlier this week as he battles stomach cancer.
The 82-year-old said in an Instagram post that he wanted to “keep everyone calm and positive” after a medical report showed he was in a stable condition, while also being treated for a respiratory infection.
“I am going strong with great hope and following my treatment as always,” Pele said. “I have a lot of faith in God and every message of love I get from you all over the world fills me with energy”.
Pele is in a stable condition in a Brazilian hospital as he is being treated for a respiratory infection, according to a statement from the hospital on Saturday.
“He is responding well to care for the respiratory infection, and there has been no change in his condition over the past 24 hours,” said a statement from Hospital Israelite Albert Einstein.
Pele, one of the greatest, if not the greatest, footballers of all time was admitted to hospital on Tuesday for re-evaluation of his cancer treatment.
He had a tumor removed from his colon in September 2021 and is receiving regular hospital care.
In a report on Saturday, the medical staff at Albert Einstein Hospital said Pele has responded well to treatment for a respiratory infection diagnosed after his hospitalization and his condition has not worsened over the past 24 hours.
The latest medical note came the day after the newspaper Folha de S.Paulo reported that Pele – whose full name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento – was receiving palliative care after chemotherapy stopped showing expected results.
The newspaper also said he had general swelling and cardiac problems when he was admitted to hospital earlier this week, as first reported by ESPN Brasil.
His manager, family members and the hospital have not confirmed that information.
On Thursday, Pele said in an Instagram post that he was in the hospital for a “monthly visit”.
Pele, who played for Brazil and club sides Santos and New York Cosmos as a striker, was one of the most famous players in the world at his peak and is widely regarded as one of the best footballers of all time.
He won the World Cup three times with Brazil, in 1958, 1962 and 1970 – a feat that no other player has achieved. He is the all-time leading goalscorer for Brazil, with 77 goals in 92 games.
Messages of support poured in from players and fans at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
French striker Kylian Mbappe tweeted, “Pray for the king”.
England captain Harry Kane said the entire national team wished him well.
Kane said, “We wish him and his family all the best. (He) is an inspiration in our sport, an incredible footballer, an incredible person.”
The torch tower in Doha was also illuminated on Saturday with a message of support for “get well soon” and a picture of his face.
A sign with the same message was displayed by Brazilian fans at the Lucel Stadium on Friday before Brazil’s 1–0 defeat by Cameroon.