Pele's chemotherapy suspended, moved to palliative care in hospital- reports

Brazilian soccer great Pele was hospitalized in Sao Paulo to regulate the medication in his fight against a colon tumor, his daughter said on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. AP

Football legend Pele has been placed in palliative care after being admitted to hospital earlier in the week, newspaper Folha de S.Paulo reported on Saturday.

Pele had a respiratory infection and was to remain at the hospital where he has been since Tuesday.

He is being treated with antibiotics, Hospital Albert Einstein said in a statement on Friday.

"His response has been adequate and the patient, who remains in a regular bedroom, is stable, with an overall improvement in his health condition," read the hospital statement.

The news was followed up by reports that Pele is receiving palliative care.

According to the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper, the 82-year-old Edson Arantes do Nascimento is no longer responding to chemotherapy after a long battle with colon cancer- adding that chemotherapy had now been suspended and that Pele was under palliative care, being treated only for symptoms such as pain and shortness of breathe.

Fans in Qatar displayed a banner with the image of Pele . Pele had been placed in end-of-life care and was only receiving treatment for pain and shortness of breath.AP

Pele thanked fans in an Instagram post late Thursday for the well-wishes he's received in a fight against cancer. He had a colon tumor removed in September 2021 and has since gone through chemotherapy.

Neither the hospital nor his family has said whether the former footballer's cancer has spread to other organs. He has checked in with the hospital every month.

Kely Nascimento, one of Pele's daughters, extended her father's thankful message to Qatar and Brazil coach Tite, who sent positive messages to the former footballer.

ESPN Brasil reported on Wednesday that Pele was taken to hospital because of "general swelling."

Brazilian fans showed their support for Pele during the national team's 1-0 loss to Cameroon at the World Cup on Friday.

Fans in Qatar displayed a banner with the image of Pele holding a soccer ball behind one of the goals at Lusail Stadium.

They also opened a large flag with an image of the Brazil great and the words: "Pele. Get well soon." One fan in the stands held up a jersey with a photo of Pele on it.

Another large image of Pele could be seen on a building near the venue, along with the messages "get well soon" and "we love Pele."

Pele, whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is the only player in history to win three World Cup titles, helping Brazil to trophies the 1958, 1962 and 1970. He remains the team's all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 matches.

Addition by AP

By AFP 49 mins ago
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