Brazil’s football idol has been struggling with health problems for many years. Now the 82-year-old is back in the hospital, the concern is great. His daughters, however, vigorously deny rumors that one of the greatest footballers of all time is already dying.
Brazil’s football legend Pele apparently has a respiratory infection as a result of contracting the corona virus a few weeks ago. With this clarification, the daughters of the three-time soccer world champion vigorously contradicted rumors about the imminent death of the 82-year-old due to his cancer in an exclusive interview with the TV channel Globo. “His hour has not yet come,” assured Flavia Nascimento.
In the video slot with the Telejournal Fantastico, Sister Kely also announced: “He doesn’t say adeus.” As soon as the antibiotics kick in, he would go home. Since his admission to the Israelita Albert Einstein Hospital last Tuesday, the doctors have said that “O Rei”, the king, is in a stable condition, but only since Friday of an inflammation of the lungs, without denying speculation.
“People are already sending me condolences,” reports Kely. And Flavia informed: “The cancer is not completely gone, it will continue to be treated with chemotherapy.” But this needs to be reset. “He’s not in intensive care, he’s in a normal room, so he’s not in danger,” the two reassured fans worldwide, although there was no prediction for a release.
Until then, Pele would continue to watch the Selecao games. “My dad doesn’t like it when we talk during the game,” Flavia admitted as the pair marvel at the flood of get well wishes. “He’s a man who changed history,” said Kely. With the World Cup titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970, in the jersey of the Selecao, FC Santos and Cosmos New York.
Jürgen Klinsmann had sent a deeply moved message to the seriously ill Brazilian football icon Pelé. “We pray for Pele,” said the 1990 world champion and former national coach at a press conference as a member of FIFA’s Technical Study Group: “I’ve met him many times. He’s such a wonderful person. He’s the best of all time, there’s that no doubt.” French soccer star Kylian Mbappé called on Twitter to “pray” for the “king”, England captain Harry Kane said at a press conference: “We send him our best wishes and of course his whole family.” In Doha, in the World Cup host country Qatar, an image of Pelé wishing him well was projected onto the facades of several buildings.
Long-time Arsenal coach Arsène Wenger, head of the group, also shares the fate of the 82-year-old. “Pele was my role model when I was a child,” said the 73-year-old: “Of course we wish him all the best. I hope he gets better soon.” Wenger said he “spoke to his agent recently. He wasn’t as negative as the news is. He said he’s in the hospital but not in any danger. So let’s hope he recovers quickly recovered.”
Pelé himself spoke up on Saturday: “I’m strong, I have a lot of hope and I’m continuing my treatment as usual,” wrote the 82-year-old on Instagram. The three-time soccer world champion also thanked everyone for the recovery wishes from all over the world, which would have given him “a lot of strength”.