SAO PAULO — Family members of the legendary Brazilian soccer player Pelé are meeting at the hospital in Sao Paulo where the 82-year-old worldwide icon has resided since the end of November.
Doctors said earlier this week that Pelé’s cancer had progressed, adding that the three-time World Cup champion is receiving “intensive treatment” due to “kidney and cardiac dysfunctions.” There have been no other hospital remarks made since.
Edson Cholbi Nascimento, also known as Edinho and one of Pelé’s kids, arrived on Saturday after denying in a press conference that he would see his father in the hospital. Edinho, who works for a soccer club in southern Brazil, stated at the time that his father could only be helped by doctors.
Kely Nascimento, one of Pelé’s daughters, posted on Instagram a picture of herself sitting next to Edinho and two of his children at the hospital with the caption, “He (Edson) is here.” “I will not leave, and no one will remove me from this location.”
In September 2021, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, also known as Pelé, had a colon tumor removed. His family and the hospital have not disclosed whether the cancer has spread to other organs.
Kely Nascimento and her sister Flavia Arantes do Nascimento posted an undated image of Pelé holding Kely with one hand while he lay on his hospital bed and Flavia slept on a couch via their social media accounts on Friday night.
“With faith, we continue to be present in this fight. Another night spent together,” wrote Kely Nascimento.
No indications of Pelé’s recent respiratory infection, which was exacerbated by COVID-19, have been reported by the hospital.
Last weekend, Folha de So Paulo claimed that Pelé’s treatment was ineffective and that physicians had opted to transition him to palliative care. The Pelé family disputed the rumor.
Pelé led Brazil to win in the 1958, 1962, and 1970 World Cups, and he remains the team’s all-time leader in goals scored with 77. Neymar tied Pelé’s World Cup record during the most recent tournament.
»Family of Pelé gathers at hospital as cancer progresses«