Brazilian Icon Pele has been taken to hospital once again as he battles with cancer, though his daughter has assured media that there was “no surprise or emergency” as he continues to struggle with the disease.
The former Selecao forward, who is considered one of the greatest-ever football players, has been battling colon cancer since last year, with the striker in and out of hospital since.
However, it is reported that he is not responding well to treatment, with the 82-year-old admitted to Brazil’s Albert Einstein hospital with reported swelling across his body.
As per ESPN Brazil, he has been held in hospital and “is undergoing a series of tests this Wednesday for a more in-depth assessment of the problems detected and the organs compromised by metastatic cancer”.
Kely Nascimento, Pele’s daughter, took to social media to reassure fans, however, telling her instagram followers that there is no emergency.
“Hello friends”, she began. “Lots of alarm in the media today concerning my dad’s health. My dad is in the hospital regulating medication.”
“I’m not jumping on a flight to run there. My brothers are in Brazil visiting and I’m going on New Year’s Eve.
“There are no surprises or emergencies. We really appreciate all the affection and love you convey.”
Pele is Brazil’s all-time record goalscorer, with 77 goals, though Neymar could overtake him in Qatar with the PSG man currently two goals behind.
He is also the man with the most World Cup medals (three), while he also remains the youngest ever player to both play and score in a World Cup final when he netted in 1958 for the Selecao during their victory over Sweden to lift the Jules Rimet.
