Pele to spend Christmas in the hospital due to worsening of cancer

Pele, a legendary player in Brazilian football, will spend Christmas in the hospital, his family and medical staff announced on Wednesday. He is receiving treatment for his illness, which is progressing, as well as kidney and cardiac issues.

The Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo reported that the 82-year-old “needs increased care due to renal and cardiac dysfunctions.”

Additionally, it stated that Pele’s cancer had “progressed,” but that he was not receiving intensive care.

Pele, widely regarded as the greatest player to ever play the game of football, was admitted to a hospital in Sao Paulo on November 29 for what his medical staff described as a re-evaluation of his chemotherapy treatments, which he has been receiving since having surgery to remove a colon tumor in September 2021.

Pele, whose true name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, has also been identified by medical professionals as having a respiratory ailment.

Pele’s daughters Kely Nascimento and Flavia Arantes attempted to comfort fans about his health earlier this month while supporters held a vigil outside the hospital. They denied claims that Pele had been placed in end-of-life care.

They announced on Instagram on Wednesday that they would be spending Christmas at the hospital with their father.

They wrote “Our Christmas at home has been suspended,”

“We decided with the doctors that, for various reasons, it would be better for us to stay here with all the care that this new family at Einstein gives us!!”

The sisters sent a message of thanks and holiday greetings to Pele’s supporters, along with a photo of them smiling.

“We are going to turn this room into a Sambodrome (just kidding), we will even make caipirinhas (not kidding!!),” they joked, referencing Brazil’s famous cocktail.

The siblings promised an update next week.