Football legend Pele's daughter has shared an emotional image at her father's side in hospital, cherishing "one more night together."
The health of the Brazilian great, 82, has worsened over the past month and he now requires greater care at Albert Einstein Jewish Hospital in Sao Paulo. Kely Nascimento, who regularly keeps fans updated on Pele's health, shared a moving post on Friday night. "We continue to be here, in fight and in faith. One more night together," Nascimento wrote on Instagram.
Her heartfelt words were accompanied by an image of her hugging her 82-year-old father as they lay on his hospital bed. Pele's granddaughter, Sophia, could also be seen in the photo sitting nearby. Earlier this week, Nascimento confirmed that her Brazilian dad would be forced to spend Christmas in hospital.
"Our Christmas at home has been suspended," she revealed on Wednesday. "We decided with the doctors that, for various reasons, it would be better for us to stay (at the hospital), with all the care that this new family at Einstein gives us!!"
Pele was admitted to hospital on November 29 after picking up a respiratory infection and for "re-evaluation of the chemotherapy treatment over colon cancer identified in September 2021," according to an official statement. The football world has been backing the Bra zil her to pull through, with Nascimento often thanking them.
She's also explained that the former Santos star had contracted Covid-19, despite being vaccinated "with all doses." Because his chemotherapy had made him more fragile, he'd contracted a lung infection. Pele's condition has been monitored by football fans across the world, particularly poignant during Brazil's World Cup campaign.
Following their 4-1 victory over South Korea in the last 16, Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar led tributes as his team unfurled banners in support on the pitch, just like Brazil's had fans had done in the stands. December 5, the day of the match, saw Pele's most recent post on social media.
It was an image of him walking alongside his father during the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, which he'd go on to help Brazil win after taking the tournament by storm as a teenager. "In 1958, I walked the streets thinking about fulfilling the promise I made to my father," he wrote. "I know that today many have made similar promises and are also going in search of their first World Cup.
"I'll be watching the game from hospital and I'll be rooting for each one of you. Good luck!" Sadly for him and all Brazilians, the Selecao were knocked out by Croatia on penalties at the quarter-final stage.
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