‘Don’t worry’: Pele assures fans as Ronaldo sends support

In a message to his followers on Instagram, the 81-year-old showed a clenched fist and smiled from his hospital bed.

The three-time World Cup winner required an operation to remove a colon tumour in September and has since continued having chemotherapy as part of the rehabilitation process.

Pelé in hospital due to colon tumor, to be released in days

Hospital Albert Einstein confirmed that Pele had been hospitalised again, stating he was in a stable condition and on course to go home within days.

Pele confirmed that is his intention, as he wrote: “Friends, since September 30th, when I left the hospital, you know that I have been having small chemotherapy sessions as part of my treatment.

“Today I’m at Albert Einstein doing the last session of 2021. I wanted to share this achievement with you. After all, every little victory is a reason to celebrate, don’t you think?

“I’m going to take this chance to do a new battery of exams, so I’m going to stay here for a few days. Don’t worry, I’m just getting ready for the holiday season!”

Responding to Pele’s message, Manchester United and Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo wrote: “Strength, friend.”

Pele had prostate surgery in 2015 after being admitted to hospital twice in six months, and he was hospitalised again for a urinary infection in 2019.

The former Santos and New York Cosmos striker is the only player to hold three World Cup winner’s medals, helping Brazil land the trophy in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

The 81-year-old is also one of just four players to score in four different World Cups, while he remains Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, having found the back of the net 77 times in 92 appearances for the Selecao.

Pelé’s assistant Pepito Fornos had earlier told that the Brazilian is having chemotherapy sessions to treat the tumor that was found during routine exams at the end of August.

(With Agency inputs)