SAO PAULO (AFP) – Brazilian football legend Pele’s health continues improving, but no date has been set for his release from hospital, where he was admitted nearly two weeks ago, doctors said on Monday.
Pele, 82, considered by many the greatest footballer of all time, was hospitalised in Sao Paulo on November 29 for what his medical team called a re-evaluation of his chemotherapy treatments, which he has been receiving since having surgery to remove a colon tumour in September 2021.
Doctors also diagnosed him with a respiratory infection.
“There is no date set for his release, (but) the patient’s clinical condition continues improving, especially the respiratory infection,” the hospital said in a statement.
“He remains in a standard room, conscious and with stable vital signs.”
Pele’s daughters Kely Nascimento and Flavia Arantes have sought to reassure his fans on his health.
Nascimento, who lives in the United States, posted a pair of pictures from the hospital on Instagram on Monday, including one of her hand holding her father’s, with the message: “I arrived.”
Pele – whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento – scored more than 1,000 goals in one of the most storied careers in sport.
He is the only player in history to win three World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970).
Pele has been in fragile health in recent years, and his public appearances have grown rare. But he remains active on social media.
