Global icon Pele has been moved into "palliative end-of-life care" and is no longer receiving chemotherapy as he struggles to fight his bowel cancer.
Reports from his native Brazil state that the three-time World Cup winner is now receiving measures to ease his pain which is reportedly no longer curable. Pele was admitted to the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo last week due to concerns he was suffering from general swelling and heart failure.
However, on Thursday, the former Santos and New York Cosmos star's daughter Kely claimed that her father was in a 'stable condition', and put down any rumours that he was in a much more precarious state. But Brazilian outlet Folha de Sao Paulo claimed in their report yesterday that the 82-year old is now receiving "end-of-live care" to ease his passing.
On Friday, the Albert Einstein Hospital released their own statement saying Pele had been diagnosed with a 'respiratory infection' which they were treating with antibiotics. The statement also said that the former player is expected to remain in hospital for continued treatment over the next few days, but said his condition was 'stable'.
Also on Friday Pele's media team posted a reply on Instagramto a 'Get well soon' message that was projected onto a building in Qatar where the World Cup is currently taking place.
The message 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."
Pele is widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time. After making his debut for his native Brazil at the age of just 16, he burst onto the world stage at the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden, scoring six goals including a hat trick in the semi final and two in the final as the Selecao lifted the trophy. Pele went on to win football's biggest honour another two times in 1962 and 1970, and to this day is still his national team's all time top goal scorer, with 77 goals in 92 caps.
The Brazilian spent the majority of his club career with Santos, who he helped win dozens of trophies, including six league titles and the Copa Libertadores twice. After a short spell in the US with New York Cosmos, Pele hung up his boots in 1977 after an astonishing career in which he netted over 1,000 goals for club and country, a feet that has been recognised by the Guinness World Book of Records.
Tributes and well wishes have poured in from around the football world, with PSG and France superstar Kylian Mbappe tweeting his support for arguably the most famous man in the history of the sport.
Santos also took to Twitter to send their prayers to Pele, who later became a worldwide ambassador for football following his retirement.
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