Brazilian football legend Pele, who has been in hospital in Sao Paulo since last Tuesday, said he feels “strong and a lot of hope” as he continues treatment for colon cancer.
The 82-year-old legend said in a message on Instagram “My friends, I want to keep everyone calm and positive. I am strong, I have a lot of hope and I am continuing my treatment as usual.”
“I would like to thank the entire medical and nursing team for all the care I have received. I have so much faith in God and every message of love I receive from you all over the world makes me so full of energy. Watching Brazil at the World Cup too! Thank you so much for everything,” he added.
Pele was taken to a hospital in Sao Paulo earlier this week for what doctors described as a “reassessment” of the chemotherapy he had been undergoing since surgery to remove a colon polyp in September last year.
Lusail Stadium in Doha, which will host the World Cup Final, and the Aspire Tower next to Khalifa Stadium, were lit up with pictures of Pele wearing his famous number 10 shirt.
And on the Corniche of the Qatari capital, dozens of “Drone” drones that light up the sky every night, drew a Brazil shirt bearing the name Pele and No. 10 on its back.
Get well soon, @Pele ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/QPZGpxwupL
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) December 2, 2022
And Brazilian reports indicated on Saturday that Pele’s condition had worsened in the last hours, and there was a serious threat to his life.
Many players in Qatar have expressed concern regarding the health of the only three-time World Cup winner.
France striker Kylian Mbappe wrote on Twitter “Pray to the king.”
As for the captain of England, Harry Kane, he said during a press conference, “We send our best wishes to him and his family as well. He is an inspiration in our sport and he is a wonderful player and an amazing person. We wish him a good recovery.”
A hospital statement on Friday said Pele had a “respiratory infection and was being treated with antibiotics”.
On Friday, Pele thanked the supporters in a message on Instagram, “Friends, I am in the hospital doing my monthly visit. It is always great to receive positive messages. Thank you to Qatar for this gesture and to everyone who sends positive feelings.”
