World football icon Pele has been moved into palliative care after he is no longer responding tochemotherapy in his battle with cancer, according to reports in his native Brazil. This is what “Mirror” reports.
The 82-year-old, who was taken to hospital last week, is receiving painkillers in an end-of-life ward after treatment for colon cancer stopped working. Pele was admitted to the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo on Tuesday with symptoms of ‘general swelling’ and ‘heart failure.
On Thursday, Pele tried to reassure his fans that this hospital visit was routine. A post on Pele’s Instagram account seemed to dispel any serious concerns. Attaching a picture of a ‘get well soon’ message displayed on the World Cup buildings in Qatar, the Brazilian wrote: “Friends, I’m in the hospital doing my monthly visit. It’s always nice to get positive messages like this. Thank you to Qatar for this honor and to everyone who sends me well wishes!”
Despite his reassuring message, Folha de Sao Paulo reported on Saturday that Pele is not responding to months of chemotherapy treatment for bowel cancer. The report adds that the former attacker will not undergo invasive tests or treatments after being admitted to a ward for those with life-threatening illnesses or conditions, or who require end-of-life care.
Pele burst onto the global stage as a 17-year-old at the 1958 World Cup, helping Brazil to the first of a record five triumphs. Injury affected his contributions to the 1962 and 1966 finals, but he returned to lead Brazil to a third Mexico 1970 triumph as part of what is widely regarded as the greatest national team of all time.
Officially, Pele scored 757 goals in 831 games during an illustrious career from 1957 to 1977, although Santos club claim the number is 1,000.