Pele’s latest stint in hospital had led to growing fears over the Brazil icon’s health
(Picture: AP)Football icon Pele has allayed fears over his health in a new social media post to fans on Thursday.
The Brazilian great was taken to the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo earlier this week by wife Marcia Aoki amid concerning reports that he was suffering from swelling all over his body and decompensated heart failure.
Pele has been battling cancer and undergoing chemotherapy since having a tumour removed from his colon last year, after which he spent time in and out of an intensive care unit.
He also visited ICU back in 2014 due to a severe urinary tract infection, while Pele has also been unable to walk unaided for a number of years due to chronic hip issues.
The latest reports had devoted fans fearing the worst, though the 82-year-old’s daughter Kely Nascimento quickly banished those concerns by insisting that her father was merely in hospital regulating his medication.
“Lots of alarm in the media today concerning my dad’s health,” she wrote on Instagram on Wednesday.
“He is in the hospital regulating medication. Some of my siblings are visiting Brazil. There is no emergency or new dire prediction.
“I will be there for New Year’s and promise to post some pictures. Really and truly, we appreciate the concern and love!!”
That has now been followed by a similar upbeat post sent out via Pele’s official Instagram account, in which he said he was only in hospital for a monthly visit as he thanked fans for their support and tributes at the World Cup.
“Friends, I am at the hospital making my monthly visit,” the message read. “It’s always nice to receive positive messages like this.
“Thanks to Qatar for this tribute, and to everyone who sends me good vibes.”
A spokesman for the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein earlier confirmed that Pele had returned "for a re-evaluation of the chemotherapeutic treatment of the tumour,” that he "has full control of his vital functions" and had not been taken to either intensive or semi-intensive care units.
Brazil coach Tite sent his best wishes to arguably the greatest footballer of all-time ahead of the Selecao’s final World Cup Group G match against Cameroon in Qatar on Friday.
“We all want to wish good health to Pele,” he said.
He then joked: “(Pele) is our biggest extraterrestrial representative.”
