Reports in Brazil suggest football legend Pele's condition is "worsening" as he battles cancer. He has been hospitalised in Sao Paulo.
The 82-year-old was reported to be dealing with swelling "all over his body", heart problems and confusion, with his cancer treatment appearing to be ineffective, according to ESPN Brasil. He is being treated at Albert Einstein Hospital.
The Mirror reports that the Brazilian media outlet said that a heart issue was identified by doctors and that he was "very restless" upon arrival at hospital. He was also reportedly struggling to feed himself.
However, Pele's daughter, Kely Nascimento, moved to reassure fans, saying there was "no emergency" in an update.
She wrote: "Lots of alarm in the media today concerning my dad's health. He is in the hospital regulating medication. There is no emergency or new dire prediction. I will be there for New Year's and promise to post some pictures."
Pele has regularly been visiting hospital for check-ups and has undergone chemotherapy for a colon tumour that was discovered last September. He spoke out on his health battles earlier this year, admitting the treatment was "difficult" but stating he was glad to be home with his family by his side as he shared a picture with his wife Marcia and dog Cacau.
He said on Instagram in April: "The peace of being next to my dear wife, Marcia, and our inseparable companion, Cacau. Treatment is difficult, but feeling their love is the best medicine. Home Sweet Home."
Doctors discovered that Pele had colon cancer last September while going for a series of routine examinations that had been postponed for 15 months because of the coronavirus pandemic. He was hospitalised for a month following his diagnosis as he underwent surgery.
Pele has since received treatment that has included chemotherapy sessions, as well as monthly tests to check the effectiveness of tackling the tumour. He also spent two weeks in hospital in February for a urinary tract infection that complicated his treatment.
The former Santos and Brazil national star was also in the hospital to have a kidney stone removed in 2019 and in 2014 for another urinary tract infection. He is the only player in history to have won three World Cups - in 1958, 1962 and 1970 - and is widely regarded as one of the best to ever play the game.
