In Qatar, fans wished Pele well in Brazil’s group stage match against Cameroon on Friday
Brazilian football legend Pele reassured his fans around the world that he is “strong and full of hope”, while continuing his treatment journey in a hospital in Sao Paulo.
In a statement released on Saturday, Pele said messages of support, along with watching Brazil’s World Cup matches, had given him “energy”.
Earlier, the hospital announced that Pele was “still receiving treatment and his condition remains stable.”
It follows a report in Brazil by ESPN that Pele had been initiated into end-of-life care after failing to respond to chemotherapy.
In a statement via Instagram, Pele said: “My friends, I would like everyone to enjoy calm and optimism .. I am strong, full of hope, and continue my treatment journey as usual. I would like to thank the entire medical team for all the care they have overwhelmed me with.”
Pele added, “My faith in God is great, and every love letter I receive from you from around the world fills me with energy, which I also derive from watching Brazil’s World Cup matches!”
Pele concluded his statement by saying, “Thank you very much for everything.”
Pele, 82, a three-time World Cup winner, has been hospitalized since Tuesday, and on Thursday night, he said it was a “routine monthly visit”.
In September 2021, Pele underwent surgery to remove a polyp in his colon.
A statement issued by the Albert Einstein Hospital on Saturday said Pele “was responding well to treatment for a respiratory infection.”
The statement added that Pele had undergone a “re-evaluation of chemotherapy”.
Pele was diagnosed with a respiratory infection. On Friday, the hospital said he was in stable condition.
On Saturday, the new statement said Pele’s condition had not deteriorated in the last 24 hours.
Meanwhile, messages poured in from around the world in support of the Brazilian legend.
“Inspiration”
England captain Harry Kane said on Saturday: “We are saddened when we hear news of his illness, but we wish him health. It is not only me who hopes for that, but all of England. He is an inspiration, an exceptional personality.”
Speaking on Saturday to the BBC, on the sidelines of the World Cup coverage, former World Cup-winning Germany star Jurgen Klinsmann said: “Pele is a wonderful person. He is an exceptional figure in the world of football. We can only pray for the best.”
As former Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta told the BBC: “Very sad to hear about Pele (illness). He has always been a true inspiration to all of us, on and off the field. He has always been a great man.”
On Twitter, France striker Kylian Mbappe tweeted, “Pray for the king.”
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The Torch Tower in Doha was lit up with a picture of Brazilian legend Pele in support of him
Qatar, which is now hosting the World Cup, showed support for Brazilian legend Pele on Saturday, lighting up buildings with a message of “wishes for a speedy recovery”.
Lusail Stadium in Doha, which will host the World Cup final match scheduled for December 18, was also decorated, and the Torch Tower near Khalifa Stadium was decorated with pictures of Brazilian legend Pele, wearing his famous shirt No. 10.
In a tweet on Twitter, the Brazilian club Santos, for whom Pele was playing, said: “The whole world wishes you safety, King Pele.”