Two daughters and one of the grandsons of Brazilian star Pele said the three-time World Cup champion has been hospitalized since Tuesday for treatment of a respiratory infection aggravated by COVID-19. They added that the 82-year-old former soccer player is not in imminent risk of death.
Kely and Flavia Nascimento, as well as Arthur Arantes do Nascimento, said in an interview that aired Sunday night that they hope Pelé, who is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, will leave the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo and make a full recovery. of respiratory infection. Neither his family nor the hospital staff have any predictions about it.
The hospital said on Saturday that Pelé is responding well to treatment for the infection and his health has not worsened in the past 24 hours. The hospital did not publish any statement on the health of the former soccer player on Sunday.
“He is sick, he is very old. But right now, he’s there because of the lung infection. Once he feels better, he will return home, ”Kely Nascimento assured TV Globo. Kely lives in the United States and spoke on video.
“He’s not saying goodbye at the hospital right now,” he added.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, who is known around the world as Pelé, had a colon tumor removed in September 2021, but none of his relatives or the hospital have said if it has spread.
Flavia Nascimento commented in the interview that her father has not yet gone into remission from colon cancer, but he is regulating his medications with the doctors to continue fighting.
“It is unfair that people say that they are at the end of their lives, in hospice care. Guys, that’s not true. Trust us,” he pleaded. “He is not in intensive care, he is in a normal room. He is not at risk, he is undergoing treatment.”
The Folha de S.Paulo newspaper reported on Saturday that Pelé’s chemotherapy was not working and that doctors decided to put him in palliative care. The Associated Press could not confirm that information.
Arthur Arantes do Nascimento assured that he has been discussing the World Cup matches with Pelé by phone, which shows that he is fully conscious in hospital.
He also said his grandfather has been moved by the tributes that have poured in from all over the world in recent days. Since Saturday, hundreds of fans of the Santos club attended a vigil, prayed and paid tribute.
“I see people saying: ‘rest in peace’ (to Pele). One day it will happen, but it’s not today,” Arthur added. “It will be fine, it is a matter of time. will seeBrazillift the sixth title”.
Pelé helped Brazil win the 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cups, he remains the national team’s top scorer with 77 goals in 92 games.