Pelé in hospital: great messages of support from across football for Brazil

The fans wished Pelé well during Brazil’s group stage game against Cameroon on Friday in Qatar

While the three-time world champion was being treated in hospital, messages of support for the great Brazilian Pelé were sent from around the world.

The 82-year-old was hospitalized in Sao Paulo on Tuesday and said it was a routine monthly visit.

However, a report in Brazil, unconfirmed by the ZooHouseNews, says he is now starting end-of-life care after failing to respond to chemotherapy.

“Pray for the King” French striker Kylian Mbappe tweeted. external link

The three-time world champion had a tumor removed from his colon in September 2021 and has been treated regularly since then.

Pele was diagnosed with a respiratory infection and on Friday the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo said he was in stable condition.

On Saturday, England captain Harry Kane said: “We are very sad to hear the news of his illness but we wish him well, not just me but the entire England line-up. He’s an inspiration, an incredible person.”

Former World Cup-winning Germany striker Jürgen Klinsmann said in ZooHouseNews One’s coverage of the World Cup on Saturday: “Pele is just a wonderful person. The outstanding personality of world football. We can only pray and hope for the best, but it’s very sad news.”

Former Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta added on ZooHouseNews One: “It is very sad news to hear from Pelé. He was a true inspiration to all of us, on and off the pitch. He’s always been a great man.”

Doha’s Torch Tower, also known as the Aspire Tower, displays a message of support for Pele

Qatar, hosts of the World Cup, showed its support for Pele on Saturday by illuminating buildings with the message “Get well soon”.

The Lusail Stadium in Doha, which will host the World Cup final on December 18, and the Aspire Tower next to the Khalifa Stadium have been adorned with images of Pele in his famous number 10 shirt.

Concerns were initially raised on Wednesday when ESPN Brasil reported Pele had been admitted and his daughter Kely Nascimento said there was “no emergency”.

Pele on Friday thanked well-wishers for sending “good vibes” and said his hospitalization was “a routine visit.”

The former striker is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 games and has scored in four World Cups.

Santos, his only Brazilian club, tweeted: “The whole world wishes you well King Pele”.

Pelé is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 games