By Reuters
Soccer legend Pele is in stable condition at a hospital in Brazil as he receives treatment for a respiratory infection, according to a statement issued Saturday from the hospital.
It followed a report from Folha de S.Paulo, a Brazilian news outlet, that said Pele had been moved to palliative care in a hospital as he was “no longer responding to chemotherapy” to treat colon cancer.
The 82-year-old “is still undergoing treatment and his health condition remains stable. He is responding well to care for a respiratory infection, and his condition has not changed in the last 24 hours,” the statement from the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein said.
A statement from Pele also was posted on his official Instagram account on Saturday.
“My friends, I want to keep everyone calm and positive,” the statement read. “I’m strong, with a lot of hope and I follow my treatment as usual. I want to thank the entire medical and nursing team for all the care I have received.
“I have a lot of faith in God and every message of love I receive from you all over the world keeps me full of energy. And watch Brazil in the World Cup too!”
The London Telegraph reported that England’s Harry Kane and France’s Kylian Mbappe offered their best to Pele.
“We send our best wishes to him and all his family,” said Kane. “He is an inspiration among our game, incredible footballer and person.” Mbappe added in a tweet: “Pray for the King.”
At a press conference in Qatar Kane explained how he had been delighted to be praised by the footballing great while he was breaking through as a player in 2015.
German soccer legend Jurgen Klinsmann said on the BBC: “For me, he is the greatest footballer ever. He is the face of Brazilian football.”
A three-time World Cup winner with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970, Pele is the team’s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 matches.
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