Brazilian star Pele published a statement reassuring football fans who love the legend of samba dancers about his health, after it had deteriorated in recent days.
Pele had stopped responding to chemotherapy, which he began undergoing in September last year, following surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in the intestine.
The Brazilian daily “Vola” had reported that Pele had undergone palliative care, a condition reached with terminally ill patients.
But he made clear in his statement that he was still battling cancer, saying: “My friends, I want to keep everyone calm and positive. I am strong, have a lot of hope and continue with my treatment as usual. I would like to thank the entire medical and nursing team for all the care I have received.”
He concluded, “I have a lot of faith in God and every message of love I receive from you all over the world makes me full of energy. And watching Brazil at the World Cup too!…Thank you so much for everything.”