Soccer great Pelé reportedly receiving end-of-life care in Brazil

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, has been moved to end-of-life care at the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in São Paulo, according to multiple reports.

The Brazil soccer legend was admitted on Tuesday, with what was reported to be general swelling and cardiac issues and to regulate his chemotherapy medication.

The 82-year-old has been receiving treatment for cancer since having surgery to remove a tumor from his colon during September 2021.

A medical report released Friday said Pelé had respiratory infection and an adequate response to an antibiotic treatment and was in a stable condition “with general improvement in health status."

Brazilian fans showed their support for Pelé during the national team's 1-0 loss to Cameroon at the World Cup on Friday. They displayed a banner with the image of Pele holding a soccer ball and the words "Pelé, Get well soon," along with a large flag. A building near the stadium also displayed an image of Pelé with get-well wishes.

Pelé thanked fans via his Instagram account for their messages of support. He wrote: “Friends, I am at the hospital making my monthly visit. It’s always nice to receive positive messages like this. Thanks to Qatar for this tribute, and to everyone who sends me good vibes!”

Pelé, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, is widely considered one the best soccer players in history. He began playing for soccer club Santos at 15 years old. Officially, Pelé scored 757 goals in 831 games during a glittering career from 1957 to 1977, although Santos claim his tally was closer to 1,000. He is World Cup history with three wins in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

Currently, Kylian Mbappé is the only player to equal Pele’s 7 World Cup goals before the age of 24. He also had a message of support for the legend: