Pele’s family: Covid-19 caused infection, no imminent risk of death

The Albert Einstein hospital said Saturday that Pele is responding well to treatment for the infection and his health condition had not worsened over the previous 24 hours.

FILE PHOTO: Brazilian football great Pele waves during the autograph ceremony of his book “Segundo Tempo” (Second Half), in Santos, some 70 km from Sao Paulo, Brazil, on March 12, 2015. | Photo Credit: AFP

Two daughters and one grandson of Brazilian football great Pele said the three-time World Cup winner has been hospitalised since Tuesday to treat a respiratory infection aggravated by Covid-19. They added that the 82-year-old is under no imminent risk of death.

Kely and Flavia Nascimento and Arthur Arantes do Nascimento said in an interview aired Sunday night that Pele, who is also undergoing chemotherapy in his fight against cancer, is expected to leave the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo once he fully recovers from the respiratory infection. Neither the family nor the hospital has any predictions in that regard.

The hospital said Saturday that Pele is responding well to treatment for the infection and his health condition had not worsened over the previous 24 hours. The hospital did not issue any statements on the former footballer’s health Sunday.

“He is sick, he is old. But at the moment, he is there because of a lung infection. And once he feels better, he will go home again,” Kely Nascimento told TV Globo. She lives in the United States and spoke on video.

“He is not saying goodbye in a hospital at the moment,” she added.

Football fans hold a giant Brazilian flag with picture of former Brazilian player Pele embossed on it,. with a message read: “Pele, Get well soon” during the FIFA World Cup 2022 Group G match between Brazil vs Cameroon on December 2. | Photo Credit: AP

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, who is globally known as Pele, had a colon tumor removed in September 2021, but neither his family nor the hospital has said whether it had spread.

Flavia Nascimento said in the interview that Pele is yet to have remission of his colon cancer but is now regulating his medication with doctors to keep fighting.

“It is very unfair for people to say he is at the end of his life, in palliative care. Guys, that’s not true. Believe us,” she said.

“He is not in intensive care, he is in a regular bedroom. He is not at risk, he is in treatment.” Newspaper Folha de S. Paulo reported Saturday that Pele’s chemotherapy is not working and that doctors had decided to put him on palliative care. The Associated Press could not confirm that information.

Pele missed Brazil’s latest wins

Arthur Arantes do Nascimento said he is debating World Cup matches with Pele by phone, which he believes shows the 82-year-old is fully aware in the hospital.

Pele’s grandson said the former footballer missed injured star Neymar at Brazil’s latest two matches in Qatar — a 1-0 win against Switzerland and a 1-0 defeat of the reserves against Cameroon, both in the group stage. Brazil faces South Korea on Monday in round 16, with Neymar possibly returning to the team.

Arthur Arantes do Nascimento also said his grandfather was moved by tributes that have poured from around the world over the last few days. Since Saturday, about a hundred fans of his lifelong club Santos came for a vigil, prayers, and tributes to the soccer great. Fans, players, and coaches taking part in the World Cup wished him well by multiple means.

“I see people telling me rest in peace. One day it will happen, but it is not today,” Arthur Arantes do Nascimento said.

“He is going to be well, it is a matter of time. He will see Brazil lift the sixth title.” Pelé helped Brazil win the 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cups and remains the team’s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals in 92 matches.