Reports today have claimed that Pele’s health has deteriorated after he was admitted to hospital in Sao Paulo with swelling in his body.
The legendary Brazilian former football star is 82 years old and is currently undergoing treatment for cancer.
He went to the Albert Einstein hospital yesterday in the Brazilian city on an unscheduled visit, taken by his wife Marcia Aokoi and a health worker, according to ESPN Brasil.
The Brazilian outlet reported that medical staff at the hospital confirmed his condition of anasarca (general swelling), an edemigemic syndrome (general edema) and even identified ‘decompensated heart failure’.
It is also claimed that the chemotherapy treatment on his cancer is no longer working, while he was diagnosed with mental confusion upon entering the hospital, where he was restless.
Pele, who won the World Cup with Brazil as a teenager in 1958 and two more in 1962 and 1968, is reportedly set to undergo several tests.
They are to look at the likelihood of a hepatic encephalopathy, while Pele is also struggling to eat.
However, Pele’s daughter Kely Nascimento, who is not in Brazil at the moment, has insisted there is no cause for alarm and that there was ‘no surprise or emergency’ involved with her father being in hospital.
“Lots of alarm in the media today concerning my dad’s health. He is in the hospital regulating medication,” she wrote on Instagram.
“There is no emergency or new dire prediction. I will be there for New Year’s and promise to post some pictures.”
Pele’s wife Marcia confirmed that the legend, one of the greatest footballers in history, was in hospital, but implied it is only for his regular chemotherapy and check-ups.
