Pele’s family share hospital pictures as Brazil icon’s health worsens

Pele’s family have shared images from his hospital room having gathered to spend Christmas together with their ill father. The Brazilian football legend’s colon cancer is worsening while he is also fighting heart and kidney problems too.

Pele – real name Edson Arantes do Nascimento – is one of the most famous footballers of all time and has been in hospital since November 29. He is currently spending the festive period receiving treatment.

And his family have gathered at the Sao Paulo hospital where he is being cared for and have shared some heartwarming images as they celebrate Christmas together.

The 82-year-old, who has had multiple health complications in recent years, revealed he was battling cancer in September last year and doctors said this week that its condition has gotten worse. He is also being treated for renal and cardiac dysfunction.

And Pele’s daughter Kely Nascimento posted a picture of the family, including the three-time World Cup winner’s wife Marcia Aoki, together at the Albert Einstein hospital. Pele cannot be seen in the image.

She wrote in a heartfelt caption: “Almost all of them. Merry Christmas. Gratitude, love, togetherness, family. The essence of Christmas. We thank you all for all the love and light you send.”

Kely also shared an image of her and her father hugging while he lay in bed. She captioned it: “We continue to be here, in the fight and in faith. One more night together.” Pele’s son, Edinho, is also at the hospital and alongside a picture of the pair holding hands wrote: “Father… my strength is yours.”

And in another post, Kely said to fans who have sent messages wishing Pele well: “Your love for him, your stories and your prayers are a HUGE comfort because we know we are not alone. Let’s turn this room into a Sambadrome (just kidding), let’s even make caipirinhas (not kidding!!).”

It was confirmed earlier this month that Pele had contracted Covid which, as a result of his cancer treatment weakening his immune system, led to a lung infection that forced him into hospital in late November. He is currently under “elevated care”.

Pele is one of the most revered footballers ever having helped Brazil win three World Cups, including their first in 1958 when he was a mere 17 years old. He holds the record for scoring the most goals of all time, although the final total is disputed.

The record books state he scored an incredible 1,281 goals in 1,363 games in a 20-year career with Santos, New York Cosmos and Brazil, for whom he scored 77 times. No other Brazilian has ever scored more although Neymar tied his compatriot at the recent Qatar World Cup and then paid a lovely tribute post-match.