Brazil legend Pele has been moved to palliative care after failing to respond to chemotherapy, according to reports in South America.
Pele, 82, was last week taken to hospital and is said to be receiving pain relief on an end-of-life ward, with treatment for his bowel cancer having stopped working. The iconic footballer, who is the only man to have won the World Cup three times, was taken to Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Tuesday with symptoms of 'heart failure' and 'general swelling'.
On Thursday, a post on Pele’s Instagram account appeared to allay any fears over his health. Attached to a photograph of a ‘get well soon’ message displayed on buildings at the World Cup in Qatar, the post read: “Friends, I am at the hospital making my monthly visit.
“It’s always nice to receive positive messages like this. Thanks to Qatar for this tribute, and to everyone who sends me good vibes!”
However, fresh reports from Brazil on Saturday, in the news publication Folha de Sao Paulo, said Pele had stopped responding to chemotherapy treatment which he has been receiving for his bowel cancer.
It adds that he will not undergo invasive tests or treatment because he has been admitted to a ward for those with life-threatening diseases or conditions, or who require end-of-life care.
The report also states that on Friday afternoon, the hospital released a statement to say Pele had a respiratory infection which was diagnosed after he was admitted on Tuesday for a cancer check-up. He was diagnosed with cancer in September 2021.
He is currently on a course of antibiotics to treat the respiratory infection, with the hospital statement, as quoted by Folha de Sao Paulo, saying: "The response has been adequate and the patient, who remains in a common room, is stable, with a general improvement in health status."
Pele - whose name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento - is regarded by many as the greatest footballer of all time.
He won three World Cups with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970, and scored 643 goals in 659 matches for Brazilian club Santos. He scored 77 times in 92 games for Brazil.
No time frame has been given pertaining to the length of his stay in hospital. His wife Marcia Aoki and carer are said to be by his bedside.
