SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Brazilian soccer legend Pele, who is battling colon cancer, said on Saturday he was staying “strong” and was grateful for the widespread support he received after being hospitalized in Sao Paulo at the start of the week.
The 82-year-old said in an Instagram post that he wanted “everyone to stay calm and positive”.
“I’m strong, hopeful and following my treatment as usual,” he said. “I have faith in God and every message of love I receive from you around the world keeps me energized.”
Pelé, one of the greatest footballers of all time, was admitted to hospital on Tuesday to reevaluate his cancer treatment. He had a colon tumor removed in September 2021 and has been receiving regular hospital care ever since.
Staff at the hospital where he is being treated said on Saturday that the player had responded well to treatment for a respiratory infection diagnosed after his hospitalization and that his condition had not worsened in the past 24 hours.
“He is still undergoing treatment and remains in stable condition,” the doctors said.
The newspaper Folha de S.Paulo. had indicated earlier in the day that Pelé, whose full name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, had been admitted to a palliative care unit, the chemotherapy no longer having the expected effects.
His manager, family members and the hospital have not confirmed this information.
Pele, who played for Brazil and clubs Santos and New York Cosmos as a striker, was one of the world’s best-known sportsmen and is considered one of the best soccer players of all time.
He won the World Cup with Brazil three times, in 1958, 1962 and 1970, a feat no other player has achieved. He is Brazil’s all-time top scorer, with 77 goals in 92 games.
Messages of support have come in from all sides, including from players and fans attending the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
French striker Kylian Mbappé tweeted: “Pray for the King”.
England captain Harry Kane says the whole national team wishes him well.
The Torch Tower in Doha was also lit up on Saturday with a message of support saying, “Get well soon” and a picture of his face.
(Written by Gabriel Araujo, French version Tangi Salaün)