Hope for Pelé: daughters contradict media reports - "really unfair"

Created: 2022-12-08 05:15

By: Boris Manz

Thinking of Pelé: The Brazilian national team posed with a banner for the Brazilian football legend after the successful round of 16 match against South Korea (4:1).

© IMAGO / Ayman Aref

After rumors about the poor health of Brazil's football legend Pelé, the daughters of the former World Cup hero now contradicted.

Munich – In the run-up to the World Cup round of 16 match between Brazil and South Korea, rumors circulated about the poor health of Brazilian soccer legend Pelé.

The Selecao and the Brazilian fans expressed their support for the three-time world champion with various messages before and after the World Cup game.

Brazilian media had previously reported that Pelé was dying – his daughters have now dismissed such reports and are providing updates on the 82-year-old FIFA Ambassador's health.

FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar: Brazil's football legend Pelé in hospital because of Corona

According to information from the SID, Pelé has been in a hospital in São Paulo for a week.

In advance it was said that Brazil's football legend would only be there for a routine examination.

The 82-year-old has been suffering from colon cancer for years.

According to reports in the newspaper "Folha de São Paulo" and the TV station ESPN Brazil, rumors circulated that the former world footballer was only receiving palliative care.

The chemotherapy would no longer have any prospects of success.

Pelé fans pray for the Brazilian football icon

Pele - Get well soon: In addition to their national team, the fans of the Selecao also kept their fingers crossed for the Brazilian soccer idol.

© IMAGO / Sven Simon

Pelé's daughters contradicted reports in an interview with the TV network Globo on Sunday.

Pelé is not being treated in the hospital for colon cancer, but for pneumonia as a result of a corona infection.

The daughters also gave the all-clear regarding the cancer: It would be "really unfair" to claim that Pelé's colon cancer was "end-stage".

"If he's better, he'll come back home." The chemotherapy would also have had positive results.

The Brazilian superstar's relatives also urged fans to refrain from sending condolences in the future.

Pelé would not be in intensive care and would be on the mend.

On Sunday, numerous fans gathered around the hospital in São Paulo and prayed for Pelé.

FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar: Brazil's national team plays for Pele

At the round of 16 match of the World Cup in Qatar, the Brazilian national team and fans of the Selecao caused numerous goose bumps.

After the 4-1 win over South Korea, the stars around Neymar and Vinicius Jr. posed with a large banner of the football legend.

The Real Madrid attacker then emphasized the special meaning of "O rei" for the Selecao: "We also play for Pelé.

He always supported us.

Thinking of him makes us strong.”

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Brazil vs. South Korea: Pelé crossed his fingers from the hospital

On Saturday, Pelé released a statement on Instagram addressing his health condition.

"I'm strong, have a lot of hope and will continue my treatment as usual," he said combatively and said he was following the game from the hospital.

The Selecao's gala performance in Doha may have helped improve things.

(afp)