Brazil’s ‘soccer emperor’ Pele (82) spent Christmas in the hospital due to deteriorating health.
On the 25th (Korean time), foreign media such as the Associated Press and AFP reported that Pele’s family was gathering at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Pele, who is battling colon cancer, has been hospitalized at the hospital since the end of last month. The hospital’s medical staff said in a statement on the 21st of this month local time, “It is understood that Pele’s cancer has progressed further,” and that “more treatment is needed for her heart and kidney dysfunction.”
Pele’s son, Edinho (real name Edsong Sholby Nacimentu) visited his father on the 24th, Christmas Eve. Edinho, who works at a soccer club in southern Brazil, said the day before that only medical staff could help Pele and that he was in a difficult situation to visit. He arrived at the hospital a day later.
He also posted a picture holding Pele’s hand on social media.
Pele’s daughter, Kelly Nacimento, previously shared a photo of her with her sister, Flavia Aranchis do Nacimento, guarding her father’s hospital room.
Embracing Pele, Kelly commented, “We continue this fight by faith. One more night together.”
In September of last year, a cancerous tumor was discovered in his right colon, and he underwent surgery to remove it. After that, he went back and forth to the hospital while receiving chemotherapy.
Shin Min-kyung, Hankyung.com reporter [email protected]