Family members of three-time World Cup champion Pelé have been gathering at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paul as his illness progresses.
The 82-year-old Brazilian football legend has been at the hospital since the end of November.
This week, healthcare professionals revealed that Pelé had experienced kidney and heart’ dysfunctions.’
As a result, he was receiving ‘elevated care’ for advanced cancer.
Pelé’s daughter, Kely, posted a moving tribute to him on Instagram accompanied by a photo in which she hugs the soccer legend on his hospital bed.
Pelé, whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, had a colon tumour removed in September 2021.
And despite being vaccinated against COVID-19, he had contracted the virus and a lung infection.
Widely considered to be one of the greatest soccer players in history, Pelé played in four World Cups, winning three – in 1958, 1962, and 1970.
He also scored 1,281 goals in his professional career in 1,363 games.
